Stress will take its toll on your body, including your oral health. If you feel stressed, you might already recognize that you could face a greater risk of certain medical problems. But increased stress will also affect the appearance of your smile.
Try to reduce stress if you want to prevent cosmetic dental damage from impacting your smile. A dentist can enhance your smile aesthetics with targeted treatment. But ideally, you want to avoid developing these concerns in the first place. Read on to learn about three potential threats that high stress levels can pose to the look of your smile as well as how to counteract them.
Beware of Overconsuming Staining Beverages
Stress can exert strain on your body that may make it harder to relax and get the good-quality sleep you require to recharge. As a result, you may wake up feeling sleepy and groggy. You might turn to caffeinated beverages like coffee or tea for an energy boost to get you through your busy day.
But these drinks get their dark color from substances called tannins. The dark particles will transfer and absorb into your tooth enamel, leaving dark stains behind on your smile.
You can reduce your risk of this dental discoloration by sipping through a straw or diluting your drink with milk. But these efforts will not eliminate the danger entirely.
Limit your intake of foods and drinks with staining agents to avoid forming discoloration on your teeth. If you do notice yellowing or darkening in your smile, talk to your dentist about teeth whitening treatment that will brighten your tooth color.
Look Out for Bruxism
Excess strain on your body due to stress can cause your muscles to tense, including in your jaw. This may initiate or worsen a bruxism habit. Sometimes, this behavior, including clenching or grinding your teeth, will present without your awareness, such as during sleep.
But the grating of your teeth against one another generates pressure that may create a chip or crack in your teeth. Tooth breakage will disrupt your smile’s appearance and heighten your risk of further dental problems. Prevent this dental damage by treating bruxism with a night guard from your dentist and finding ways to relieve stress.
Do Not Skip Routine Dental Appointments
When you feel stressed, you may feel tempted to skip certain routines or obligations in an effort to get items off of your plate. Make sure that you do not miss any of your dental check-ups or at-home oral hygiene practices.
During a routine dental appointment, your dentist checks your smile for signs of cavities and other dental issues. They also complete a professional dental cleaning to get rid of plaque and tartar that your toothbrush and floss alone may miss. If you skip this crucial preventative dental care, you may make your smile more susceptible to cosmetic dental issues, including yellowing or broken teeth.
These dental concerns can make you even more stressed, which can lead to further oral health complications. Call your dentist to schedule your next dental appointment and preserve your smile’s appearance.