Don't Let Stress Hurt Your Smile | Oceanside Dental Excellence

Don't Take Stress Out On Your Teeth Oceanside The team at Oceanside Dental Excellence has noticed more and more patients with stress-related dental issues. Oceanside men and women may not think about it, but stress can do a number on your oral health.

CANKER AND COLD SORES

Cold sores are a symptom of the herpes simplex virus. Scientists don’t know exactly what causes canker sores but they suspect they are related to infection, virus, or a weak immune system. People who have difficulty managing stress need to realize that it can increase the risk of getting mouth sores such as cankers and cold sores. Most canker sores only last 7-10 days, but for relief from the irritation, we recommend our patients pick up an over-the-counter topical anesthetic at any Vista, Fallbrook, or Camp Pendleton drug store.

TEETH GRINDING

It’s no surprise that teeth grinding is harmful to dental health in Oceanside. It starts with enamel wear, then loose teeth, and eventually tooth loss. During this progression, there may be other issues such as gum recession, headaches, and TMD. If you grind your teeth, it’s important to address this condition as soon as possible. Our team can determine if a night guard or other dental appliance will help reduce grinding.

TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS (TMJ/TMD)

There are many direct and indirect causes of TMD. For example, inability to manage stress may cause jaw clenching which, in turn, causes pain in the jaw joint. Other symptoms of TMD include tenderness, pain, swelling in the neck, ear, face, or shoulder, popping or clicking sounds, and changes in bite alignment. Again, if you experience any of these, call us. We can help treat your TMJ/TMD.

And our dental patients may find that when they are under stress they start neglecing their oral hygiene habits or eat more sugary snacks when they’re under stress.

If you’re concerned about the effect stress can have on your teeth, schedule an appointment at Oceanside Dental Excellence today. At Oceanside Dental Excellence, our services include general and cosmetic dentistry, as well as sedation dentistry and TMD/TMJ treatment. Schedule an appointment today!