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March 2014 | Read this issue and more at www.healthandwellnessmagazine.net |
INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE
Stress and
Oral Health
Like us
@healthykentucky
physical activity- walking, jogging,
swimming, yoga or sports. Practice
daily skilled relaxation, meditation
or prayer. Spend some time each
evening reading inspirational material that uplifts your spirits. Get
a massage. Hug a loved one. Play
with children and animals. Get out
in nature. Do something for others
who are less fortunate. Participate in
social and community activities that
reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. Count your blessings.
Listed below are several resources
that offer self-directed approaches
to stress management. They do not
take the place of professional help
should your burden of stress feel
overwhelming or get worse over
time. Speak with your dental or
medical provider for a professional
stress management referral if your
self-care strategies are not helping.
You dental health and your overall
health may depend on how effectively you manage your stress.
Resources
Dr. James Gordon, founder of the
Center for Mind Body Medicine guides
a ‘soft belly meditation’
http://vimeo.com/37976492
By John A.
Patterson MD,
MSPH, FAAFP
Stress and poor
oral health are interrelated.
The presence of oral disease and
dental disorders can cause stress
from low self-image, which can have
a negative effect on well-being and
personal happiness. Stress, chronic
anxiety and depression can lead to
self-neglect, including neglect of
dental hygiene. For many people,
dental self-care is not a high priority.
It is especially common for stressful
economic times to be associated with
lapses in the proper oral hygiene habits of regular brushing and flossing of
teeth and professional dental exams.
Turning to sugar-laden comfort foods
for stress relief can also lead to dental
caries (tooth decay).
Emotional disorders and stress at
home or work can lead to the excess
production of dental plaque, which
in turn can lead to periodontal (gum)
disease, leading to gingivitis and
bleeding gums. A highly emotional
response to financial hardship, in
particular, has been shown to increase
gum disease. Periodontal disease is
the leading cause of tooth loss and
Kentucky ranks first or second among
the national leaders in tooth loss. A
healthy diet, regular brushing, flossing, anti-bacterial mouth rinses and
regular dental evaluations can save
teeth.
Stress can increase the frequency
the ear during chewing, speaking, or
of canker sores. Also known as aphopening the mouth. A custom-made
thous ulcers, these painful lesions are dental bite guard may be required
not contagious and occur inside the
to prevent damage to the teeth and
mouth. Students often have canker
the TMJ from frequent grinding.
sores during their school year but
Individuals may be unaware of their
fewer sores during holidays and over teeth grinding and jaw clenching.
summer vacation. Cold sores, also
Signs include flattening of the tips of
called fever blisters are contagious,
the teeth and dental sensitivity from
painful blisters around the lips, nose
loss of dental enamel.
or chin caused by the herpes virus.
There are many ways to help preStress is a common trigger for these
vent stress from having an adverse
herpes-virus blisters. Though canker impact on your dental health. You
sores and cold sores resolve with or
can probably find something on this
without medicashort list that fits
tion, their resoluyour lifestyle and
tion and their
personal preferprevention can be
ences. To begin,
helped by stress
try to reduce your
reduction.
exposure to the
Stress, chronic
Stress, worry,
circumstances,
anxiety and anger
patterns of thinkanxiety and
can also lead to
ing, habits, people
bruxism - clenchor other sources
depression can
ing and grinding
of your stress.
of the teeth durDeal thoughtfully,
lead to selfing sleep or while
methodically and
awake. \