Experiencing some level of stress in daily life is a completely normal human experience. However, the demands of our modern lives in addition to the current health pandemic might be sending some of our stress levels through the roof on a regular basis. Unfortunately, chronic stress can have a number of negative effects on our physical and physiological health.
What Happens in Our Bodies When We’re Stressed?
Our bodies are naturally hard-wired to handle a certain amount of stress from perceived threats or aggressions. Just imagine our ancient ancestors who lived in the time of saber-tooth tigers. But most of us do not live in an environment where these kinds of physical threats are real. However, our species has begun to face an onslaught of other perceived existential threats.
These, along with other individual fears and anxieties, have created an environment with a lot of stressed-out people. In a 2018 report by the New York Times, 55 percent of adults in America said they had experienced stress during “a lot of the day.”
So what’s happening in the brain-body connection when we get stressed? When you encounter or even imagine a perceived threat your hypothalamus releases a set of nerve and hormonal signals. These signals prompt your adrenal glands to release hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, which in turn increases your heart rate, elevates your blood pressure, boosts energy supplies, and curbs functions that would be nonessential or detrimental in a fight-or-flight situation.
This makes sense if you need to run away from a burglar. But if you are experiencing this cascade of hormones “a lot of the day” like many Americans, the effects of chronic stress will begin to wear on the brain structure, immune system, cardiac system, and pretty much the whole body.
Some Symptoms of Chronic Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Digestive problems
- Headaches
- Heart disease
- Sleep problems
- Weight gain
- Memory and concentration impairment
Stress and Oral Health
Chronic stress is systemic, meaning it impacts all of the systems in the body. When you’re stressed the last thing you probably think about is your oral health, but you have probably experienced one or more of these stress-related oral problems.
1. Canker Sores
Canker sores (aphthous ulcers) develop as lesions in your mouth around the base of the gums, insides of the cheeks or on the tongue as a result of stress or other factors. They can be quite painful, but for the most part, are harmless and will disappear in a week or two. Canker sores are not contagious.
2. Cold Sores
Unlike a canker sore, cold sores are only triggered by stress. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) and appear as fluid-filled sores around the outside of the lips. Once you have the herpes simplex virus, you will always be a carrier, but you might not experience breakouts frequently. HSV-1 is contagious.
3. Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is commonly a result of stress and can happen unconsciously whether you are awake or asleep. If bruxism persists, teeth can be worn down or chipped, you can develop headaches and facial pain, and your sleep can be disrupted—adding to the stress you’re already experiencing.
4. Jaw Pain
When we’re stressed we tend to clench our jaws—even in our sleep. This can result in varying degrees of jaw soreness or even TMJ disorder.
5. Heartburn
Stress is a known trigger of heartburn. You can probably identify heartburn when you have it, but you might not know what’s happening in your body. When we eat, our esophagus takes food to our stomach where it digests and continues on its way. When you have heartburn, stomach acid that is released to digest food actually seeps back up into your esophagus. If heartburn is severe, the acid can even reach the mouth and begin to deteriorate the teeth.
6. Gum Infection
If the immune system is taking a heavy hit from chronic stress, it can be challenging for the body to fight off infection in the mouth. One of the most common results is gum disease which can lead to severe periodontal disease if left untreated.
Stay Safe & Healthy
At Country Club Dental Flagstaff, we know that it’s a particularly stressful season of life. We encourage you to take some extra time and tend to your mental and emotional health. Pick up a mindfulness practice, go on long, relaxing walks (of course while practicing social distancing), get some extra sleep, drink a hot cup of tea while reading a good book, and know that our dentists are always here to offer you advice when it comes to your oral health!
