FALLS CHURCH, Va.   –   In many ways, experiencing feelings of stress is a part of our everyday lives. Life in the military community often comes with its own unique stressors. While we often associate stress with mental and emotional well-being, stress also affects your entire body, including your oral health. Stress can show up in your body in many ways, which directly affects your teeth, gums, and overall oral health. Keep reading to learn more about how to manage your everyday stress to alleviate the toll stress can take on your oral health.

The connection between oral health and stress

When you’re stressed, you feel it in your body and your mind. A lot of people try to push through these stressful feelings, which means that those feelings can show up in other ways like not being able to sleep or through emotional eating.

Douglas Elsesser, a program analyst with the Dental Program Branch of the TRICARE Health Plan, at the Defense Health Agency, said, “Your oral health is an integral part of your overall health, and managing stress is a powerful tool in protecting both.”

How untreated stress may affect your oral health

Grinding your teeth (bruxism). One common response to stress is grinding or clenching your teeth. People often grind their teeth without even realizing they’re doing it. It can happen while you’re awake or asleep. Untreated bruxism can lead to damaged teeth, chronic jaw pain, and headaches. TRICARE dental program enrollees are covered for a custom-fitted mouthguard to treat teeth grinding.

Lowered immunity. Long-term, untreated stress affects your immune system, making you more likely to experience gum disease. Weakened immunity allows bacteria to thrive, leading to inflammation, bleeding gums, and potentially more severe conditions that could result in tooth loss if left untreated.

Emotional eating. Stress can often trigger emotional eating, leading to eating more sugary and acidic comfort foods and drinks. These choices, while momentarily comforting, feed harmful bacteria, significantly increasing the risk of tooth decay, cavities, and enamel erosion.

Skipping oral hygiene routine. When under significant stress, many people may neglect their oral hygiene routines, such as regular brushing and flossing. This allows plaque and bacteria to grow, creating the opportunity for gum inflammation, bad breath, and worsening of cavities and gum disease.

Ways to manage your stress

• Prioritize self-care. Actively schedule and engage in activities that benefit your mind, body, and spirit. This could include getting restful sleep, eating a balanced diet, spending time in nature, pursuing hobbies, journaling, connecting with loved ones, taking a warm bath, or reading a book.
• Practice mindfulness. Engage in mindfulness exercises, which involve focusing on the present moment without judgment. This can be as simple as paying attention to your breath, noticing feelings in your body, or paying attention to your surroundings during daily activities like eating or walking. Mindfulness can help reduce negative thoughts and bring a sense of calm.
• Include meditation. Dedicate time each day to meditation. There are thousands of tutorials and guided meditations available for free. Regular practice can help train your mind to be less reactive to stressors, improve emotional regulation, and promote relaxation. Even short sessions can be beneficial.

Communicate with your TDP network dentist

As always, communicate any concerns you may have to your dentist. Need help finding a TDP network dentist? Use our easy Find a Dentist tool to find a network dentist near you.

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