Chronic stress can affect your oral health.

Stress can be the culprit of many health problems including high blood pressure, headaches, stomach issues, diabetes, skin problems…but did you know it can also affect your oral health?

Chronic stress inhibits salivary function. A reduction of salivary flow results in dry mouth, more acidic pH, and the development of dental decay.

Stress can also be directly related to clenching and grinding of teeth in both acute and chronic situations. Clenching and grinding not only can cause tension in the temporomandibular joint, but also can damage tooth structure and crack otherwise healthy teeth.

We know how difficult it can be to eliminate stress completely, but there are so many things we can do to reduce it. Breath work, meditation, and daily movement are a few of my favorites.

What are you doing to help alleviate stress?