How Stress Affects Your Oral Health

Stress is something we all feel from time to time. It can come from work school family problems or money worries. Many people know stress can affect their mind and body but very few think about how it can harm their mouth. The truth is stress can cause big problems for your teeth gums and even your smile.

When we are stressed our body releases a hormone called cortisol. This hormone can weaken the way our body fights germs. It can also make healing slower. This means your mouth can become weak against tooth decay gum problems and mouth sores.

Stress also changes habits. You might begin to grind your teeth unintentionally. You might be too tired to brush or floss. You may eat more sugary snacks. All of this can harm your oral health in ways you do not expect.



One of the mouth health effects of stress is gum disease. Your natural defense mechanisms grow slower as stress limits when the body is fighting off invaders germs in your mouth grow faster. This can cause your gums to become red swollen and sensitive. If it is not treated in its early stages gum disease can make gums pull away from teeth and lead to tooth loss.

They think they do not have time. But skipping dentist checks means small gum problems can turn into big ones. Treating gum disease later takes more time money and can be painful.

Stress management is important for reducing your risk of gum problems. A relaxed mood can also improve the immune system and discourage bacteria in your mouth.



Some individuals grind their teeth when under stress. This may occur through the day or at night when you are asleep. By grinding his teeth he wears them down and flattens them. It can also cause cracks in teeth.

Along with damage to teeth grinding can give you jaw pain and headaches. Very strong grinding can even affect the way your jaw moves. Over time it can cause chewing to be difficult or painful.


Grinding damage can be protected with a mouthguard worn during sleep. But the long term solution is to deal with stress before it harms your mouth more.


Stress can also be a trigger for mouth sores including ulcers. These little cuts inside your mouth can be painful and make mealtime difficult. They occur because stress impairs the body’s natural ability to heal rapidly.

Another problem is dry mouth. When you are stressed certain things happen you may breathe more through your mouth or drink less water. You may also take medicines for stress that slow down saliva. Without enough saliva your mouth becomes dry and this raises the risk of cavities.

Preventing your mouth from getting dry and keeping it clean may help. And as frustrating as it may sound drinking enough water chewing sugar free gum and not overdoing the coffee can improve dry mouth.



The only shield between your mouth and stress is a routine. Brush twice a day floss once a day and see your dentist every six months.


It can also help to eat a healthy diet. Fresh dairy crunchy fruits and vegetables will help to make your teeth strong. When you feel stressed try to stay away from too much sugar soda and junk food.


Stress is an inevitable part of life but it need not be detrimental to your mouth. Keep your teeth and hums healthy by knowing how stress affects oral health just by knowing a little of how stress affects oral health can easily be remedied with daily care for your teeth and gums. The care of your mouth is a powerful tool in the management of your overall health.

1. Can anxiety affect your oral health?
   Yes anxiety very much affects your oral health.
2. What causes bad oral hygiene?
   Not daily brushing your teeth and ignoring regular dentist appointments.
3. What is poor oral health linked to?
   The heart brain and lungs.