It might be nice to stay calm, cool, and collected through every life event, but it can be hard to truly live without some periods of stress. Because of this, you should be prepared to manage episodes of stress, and you should be mindful of how these episodes might affect your well-being. You might be surprised at just how much stress can do to your ability to maintain your oral health. You can experience some physical changes that make it harder for you to keep your teeth healthy, and you may have less focus or energy for routine smile care. Your Riverside, CA dentist’s office is prepared to help you identify potential oral health problems when they arise, and we can help you make changes in your daily oral care routine that help you avoid stress-related smile troubles.

How Can Stress Affect Your Oral Health?

Stress and anxiety can affect you by causing you to experience dry mouth. When dry mouth occurs, it can make it harder for your body to naturally defend your teeth from harm. This is because saliva actually protects our smiles throughout the day by washing away debris and neutralizing bacteria. Stress can also be a problem for your smile because it can lead to problems with chronic teeth grinding, particularly at night.

Not every stress-related oral health concern is direct. Sometimes, people experience more problems with their oral health in stressful periods simply because they devote less attention and time to eating right, and because they are not sticking with good oral health habits.

Look Out For Signs Of Nightly Teeth Grinding

How can you tell if you are grinding your teeth at night? One thing to pay attention to is your typical mornings. If you regularly wake up with sore or sensitive teeth, pain in your face and jaw, or neck pain, it could be because of bruxism. Physical wear and tear can also begin to affect your smile. Look out for signs of bruxism, and let your dentist know that the problem has become a concern for you. If the issue is not being managed, it can lead to damage that makes cosmetic dental work necessary.

The Importance Of Maintaining Your Smile Care Routine

Even in busy or taxing periods, you should make sure your commitment to oral health care remains the same. Being tired on a frequent basis, or feeling overwhelmed, can make many people feel tempted to let the occasional brushing and flossing session slide. Doing this can make your risk for plaque and tartar buildup go up, which can increase your cavity risk.

Your Riverside, CA Dentist Helps Area Families Maintain Their Oral Health

Our Riverside, CA dentist’s office is excited to help area families keep their smiles in great shape! To learn more about us, or to reach one of our other locations close to you, contact us at the following:

Riverside Dental Group at Magnolia in Riverside, CA at (951) 689-5031.

Dental Associates of Moreno Valley in Moreno Valley, CA at (951) 697-6800.

Riverside Dental Group at Woodcrest in Riverside, CA at (951) 776-9001.

Oasis Family Dental in Temecula, CA at (951) 695-2290.

Dental Associates of Riverside in Riverside, CA at (951) 369-1001.

Dental Associates of Corona in Corona, CA at (951) 273-9580.