It’s fair to say that the last 18 months have been some of the most stressful many of us have lived through. According to the Mental Health Foundation almost 80% of UK adults have felt so stressed at some point over the last year they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope.
Some years ago, we wrote about the impact of stress on your dental health, however since then the entire landscape of how we live has changed and we felt it was time to update that article.
Most people are aware of the general effects of stress, including being harmful to your heart, increasing the risk of a stroke and the potential to cause depression and anxiety. However, did you realise that some of the effects it can have on your mouth include:
- Bruxism (clenching of your teeth)
- Mouth ulcers
- Gum disease
- Bad breath
It goes without saying that the main reason stress has increased is the constant discussion regarding Covid across all news channels. Whilst it’s important to be aware of what’s happening, we’d advice not having constant alerts set up on smart phones and sometimes just take a break from the unrelenting news cycle. Working from home can also be problematic, particularly when there are small children looking for constant attention, so frequent breaks from your laptop and just moving or taking a short walk can help to lessen a stressful situation.
Our concern regarding these figures stems from the bigger issues which can happen if teeth grinding, or gum disease are left unattended. At your twice annual dental health check we do much more than simply have a look at your teeth. We also check the gums and soft-tissue in your mouth to make sure everything is in order. In our minds a healthy mouth can help to promote a healthy body. If you have any concerns, please speak to David at your next dental health check.
