If you’ve ever dealt with stress for more than the few a days or hours before a big job interview or other event, you know that it can negatively impact your body. People under stress experience head and body aches, struggle to maintain a typical sleep schedule, and are often at greater risk for health issues as the immune system is overtaxed in bodies with an elevated level of stress. Unfortunately, your smile isn’t immune to stress either. For many people, oral health issues related to stress are found during regular preventive dentistry visits, and for some, this is a wakeup call that encourages them to make some changes in their daily life and reduce stress levels. Some stress can’t be avoided, but the long term impact on oral and overall health can be detrimental. If you’re experiencing high levels of stress at home, work, or school, finding different ways to manage your stresses may be an important part of protecting your smile and overall health. In this blog, we review some of the common oral health conditions diagnosed in people who are under stress.

When you look in the mirror, are you suddenly seeing a “toothy” grin where you used to see a healthy smile with equal amounts of tooth and gum tissue? Are you suddenly struggling with sensitive teeth? You may be dealing with receding gums. While many people think of dental problems as relating to only teeth, soft tissue health is just as important to the overall appearance and function of your smile. Gum tissue recession is extremely common and needs to be monitored as it reflects the attachment of the gums to the teeth and underlying bone. Like many other oral health conditions, preventive dentistry, routine care, and understanding the underlying causes are the easiest way to avoid recession.