With advent of modern lifestyle increasing number of us are living a more stressful lifestyle than our ancestors. We all encounter stress in our lives, and some more than others.

Bruxism: Stress can cause us to grind our teeth at night, leading to tooth damage. If you’re diagnosed with bruxism, a night guard can be prescribed to protect your jaw.

Canker Sores: No one quite knows what exactly causes canker sores, but they are sometimes brought on by stress. Although harmless, these small sores can be painful.

Dry Mouth: When the mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva, it can experience chronic dryness. Not only does dry mouth result from conditions caused by stress, but it is also a common side effect of drugs used to treat depression.

Burning Mouth Syndrome: Psychological problems are just one of the many factors known to cause burning mouth, which is identified by a burning sensation on the tongue, lips, gums or palate.

TMJ/TMD: Stress contributes to temporomandibular joint disorders in many fashions. Trauma and tooth grinding are common causes of TMD, while emotional factors such as anxiety and depression can also trigger symptoms of TMJ.

Gum Disease: Studies have shown that long-term stress affects our immune systems, increasing our susceptibility to infections such as periodontal disease.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

If you’re worried that stress is affecting your teeth or gums, see a dentist — he or she can treat dental problems caused by anxiety and offer suggestions for better dental care. If you don’t have a dentist, we can help you find one!