Are You Feeling Stressed?
You have probably also noticed that it is easier said than done when someone tells you to find ways to control your stress, but this is certainly important enough that you may want to try. Constantly being stressed can give you headaches, stomach aches, and tense muscles, and it sucks all of the fun out of life. And, it can cause these problems:
- Oral hygiene problems. If you are stressed out because you have a to-do list that is a mile long, taking care of your teeth and gums may be the last thing you are concerned about doing. But brushing and flossing doesn’t really take too long, and it will help you to avoid the stress of dealing with cavities later.
- Damaged teeth. It’s easy to develop bad habits to deal with stress. You may distractedly chew on your pen or bite your nails – habits such as these can cause damage to your teeth and to teeth restorations such as veneers.
- Tooth grinding. Another way your body might deal with stress is tooth grinding (bruxism). You might do this in your sleep and not even know it, or you may catch yourself grinding your teeth in the middle of the day when you are in a stressful situation. Bruxism can wear down teeth, and it can even make teeth crack or break.
- Jaw pain and problems. Many people carry stress in their jaws, and you may notice that your jaw is tender and painful after a day full of stressful events.
For your own good – and for the good of your oral health – it is important to try to find a way to reduce your stress! If you need help with teeth that have been damaged, contact the Konig Center for Cosmetic and Comprehensive Dentistry in Houston, Texas. Call (713) 668-2289 for an appointment today!
