It is no secret that the past year has been extraordinarily stressful for many people. This makes the rise in stress-related dental conditions somewhat predictable. However, many people fail to realize the huge impact that stress and mood can have on their oral health. Understanding that stress can result in dental conditions can help you to take control of your oral health. Despite the highly stressful period of time, it is extremely important to ensure that you are continuing to visit us on a regular basis. Here are a few things that you should keep in mind about the rise in stress-related dental conditions.
ADA Information
According to a study performed by the ADA, the majority of dentists have seen a significant rise in stress-related dental conditions. Of the dentists interviewed, about 70% of them have seen an increase in the stress-related dental conditions that they experience. This has grown continually from the 60% of dentists that reported these dental conditions toward the end of last year. As the pandemic has continued, the number of stress-related dental conditions has continued to rise.
Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding is one of the most common ways that stress leads to oral health problems. When an individual is more stressed, they are more likely to clench their jaw or grind their teeth. This can lead to a substantial amount of wear to the teeth. When you consistently grind your teeth, you often make them more vulnerable to damage, such as chipping, cracking, or a wearing away of the enamel layer.
Chipped and Cracked Teeth
Teeth grinding often causes your teeth to become more vulnerable to damage. The likelihood of chipped and cracked teeth, therefore, has increased a significant amount. This can lead to additional problems, because it can cause the interior of your teeth to become exposed. If you have noticed chips or cracks in your teeth, it is important to consult with our experts for proper dental treatment.
TMJ Symptoms
The clenching of the jaw and higher levels of stress have also resulted in an increase in TMJ symptoms. These symptoms can include unpleasant things like headaches and jaw pain. Receiving treatment for TMJ is essential in restoring your comfort and preventing issues that may impact your oral health. If you are experiencing TMJ symptoms, it is important to work with our team at Mills River Family Dental for the appropriate treatment.
Stress tends to be a fairly constant part of life. However, this past year has been unusually stressful on an extreme number of people. This has led to an extreme increase in the number of stress-related dental conditions. If you think you may be experiencing a stress-related dental condition, it will be important to work with our team at Mills River Family Dental. We can help to provide you with the right services to restore the condition of your smile. To learn more about the recent rise in stress-related dental conditions, contact us at Mills River Family Dental today!
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