2023-08-31 09:57:13
Gingivitis, periodontitis, dry mouth or bruxism are some of the main problems that work-derived stress can cause in our oral health. Medical experts warn that we must take measures to manage it and avoid irreversible damage.
The stress of returning to routine worsens our oral health / EFE
With the back to the routine after the holidaysalso returns stress. According to him Study on Oral Health carried out by Sanitas in 2022, more than 70% of the population considers that the stress derived from work worsens their oral health.
Stress It doesn’t just affect the mental level.as stated by the Sanitas doctors, but rather it has physical consequences that can harm the state of our mouthespecially if it lasts for a long time.
“On many occasions the vortex that originates at work causes the meals occur at odd hours, increasing the intake of sugarscomplicates tooth brushing which ends up neglecting oral hygiene. If this routine is prolonged over time, the most common thing is that diseases develop,” he says. Dr. Berta Uzquiza, Head of Innovation at Sanitas Dental.
bruxism
bruxism It consists of involuntary grinding and clenching of the teeth, especially at night.
While it is true that it can be caused by multiple factors, stress It is one of the main causes. This is due to increases muscle tension in the bodyincluding the jaw muscles.
According to him Sanitas Oral Health Study 2023, 18.91% of the general population and 9.65% of young people under 18 years of age suffer from this problem.
Some of the most serious consequences of bruxism are tooth wearwhich can lead to fractures and tooth loss, headaches and neck pain, the development of sleep disorders and a difficultyin some cases, to open and close the mouth properly.
With the return of the holidays and the return to the usual work routine, our stress level rises, so we must be careful not to deteriorate our oral health.
Bruxism can cause tooth wear. /EFE/NACHO GALLEGO
Other complications
In addition to bruxism, there are other complications for our oral health derived from stress. Dr. Berta Uzquiza highlights the most common and emphasizes the importance of preventing them.
Gingivitis y periodontitis: These two diseases, like caries, arise from the increase in bacterial plaque of our mouth, so good dental hygiene can help us control them.
Canker sores and cold sores: The rise of cortisol, hormone closely linked to stress, can alter our immune system. This is related to the appearance of canker sores and cold sores.
Mouth dryness: This is one of the main oral consequences derived from stress. What happens is that the blood vessels of the salivary glands constrict in stressful situationsincreasing the risk of caries.
Burning mouth syndrome: This syndrome is another of the complications for our oral health derived from stress. produces a burning and tingling sensation in the mouth that causes altered sense of taste. It is associated, above all, with psychological disorders, anxiety and stress. The appearance of some oral complications is avoidable. EFE/Oliver Berg
What can we do?
The doctors of sanitas They propose some measures that we can carry out in the return to the routine to reduce stress that causes the deterioration of our oral health.
First of all, it is essential establish a sleep routine. Try to wake up and go to bed at the same time each day, as well as sleep between 7 and 8 hours These are some of the recommendations that we can carry out so that our muscles have enough time to relax and rest.
exercise It helps reduce stress levels and improves the quality of our sleep. What is recommended by doctors is to do at least 30 minutes of sport a day, five days a week.
Limit caffeine and alcohol intake It is important, since they are substances that can increase stress and anxiety.
Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, tai chi or meditation can help us relax our muscles and lower our stress levels. While it may not directly address the cause of bruxism and other stress-related oral health complications, wear a dental splint It is of great relief and protects our teeth. Lastly, try identify sources of stress It is crucial to learn how to handle these kinds of situations.
In addition, the toilets remember the Importance of Seeing a Mental Health Expert in case the stress does not disappear and negatively affects our well-being.
#stress #affects #oral #health