Top Mouth Problems Caused by Stress

Headaches and sleepless nights are commonly associated with stress, but did you know that your mouth could also suffer from a stressful lifestyle? There are several mouth problems caused by stress that many people take for granted. Evaluate your lifestyle to see if you have an increased risk for any of the following. If you already have stress-induced dental discomfort that you want to have treated, get help from us at Innovative Endodontics.

1. Teeth Grinding or Nail Biting and Cracking

You likely don’t realize that you may have bad dental habits when under stress. Some people will bite their nails or chew on ice. The motion of the jaw against the resistance of the nails can provide minor stress relief. However, this habit is very bad for your teeth. Every time you bite down on something hard, such as an ice cube or your fingernail, you can crack your tooth, which means you may need endodontic treatment.

Even if you don’t have these daytime habits, you may still risk cracking your teeth if you grind them at night. Teeth grinding, known as bruxism, often happens in people under serious stress. Many people are unaware that they grind their teeth. However, they may have indicators such as headaches, a sore jaw, and pain in the teeth upon waking. 

For people already under stress, these symptoms often are ignored. Teeth grinding can lead to cracked teeth. If bacteria invade the crack and get to the inside of the tooth, it can result in pain and the possible need for a root canal.

2. Poor Diet and Decay

When stress hits, cravings for sweet treats or salty snacks may increase. If you eat these foods and brush your teeth afterward, you should have no problem. However, when you graze all day without brushing, you are placing your teeth at risk for dental decay. If decay, or cavities, are left untreated it could result in needing root canal treatment.

3. Skipping Dental Visits 

During stressful times, routine tasks, such as dental checkups and cleanings, may be ignored. By skipping regular appointments, you risk letting an existing problem become a bigger problem. Regular dental visits allow your dentist to treat minor dental problems early when treatment is easy and relatively painless. However, if you don’t get a cavity treated initially, when you do go to the dentist next, you may find that you may need root canal treatment or have to have your tooth pulled if the decay has advanced.

4. Neglecting Oral Hygiene at Home and Tooth Infections

Good oral health starts at home with daily flossing and brushing. Brushing removes food from your tooth surfaces while flossing cleanses between your teeth and stimulates gums. Skipping either can increase your risk for cavities or gum disease. You may develop symptoms such as dental pain, inflamed gums, or bleeding gums. These are signs that you need to visit your dentist and re-evaluate your home dental care.

Treatment for dental pain may include a filling from your dentist or root canal therapy from your endodontist. Gum disease might require scaling and root planning treatment from a periodontist. If you have signs of dental problems, call your dentist right away. 

5. Avoiding Follow-Up Care and the Need for Endodontic Retreatment

Root canal therapy is a highly successful endodontic treatment. However, in some cases, the success becomes thwarted when patients do not carefully follow their endodontist’s directions on getting follow-up care for a crown.

The teeth in the back of your mouth are designed to withstand high levels of pressure. If root canal treatment is completed on a back tooth, it is very important that a crown is placed to protect the tooth. If you skip going to the dentist for the crown, you could get the tooth reinfected, which will require you to return to the endodontist for endodontic retreatment to remove the infected material from the tooth.

6. Experiencing Oral Pain Without an Obvious Cause

In some cases, you may develop pain in your teeth without knowing why. You might have a small crack or cavity in a tooth or grind your teeth at night. The only way to find out the cause of the pain is by making an appointment with a dentist or endodontist.

If fear of treatment adds to your stress and makes you avoid setting an appointment, you don’t have to worry. Endodontists are professionals in relieving the pain of their patients since they have received extra training in advanced numbing techniques. Root canals relieve pain; they don’t cause pain.

Get Help from Innovative Endodontics for Mouth Problems Caused by Stress Before It’s Too Late

Don’t let your stress compromise your oral health. If you notice any of the above problems, go to your dentist as soon as possible. They may refer you to an endodontist to help with your case.

Contact us at Innovative Endodontics. We can help your dentist with referrals or make an appointment if you need to get an evaluation. Our team is the best at what they do, which is why our procedures are quick and painless.