The coronavirus is having detrimental impacts on people, businesses, and industries around the world right now. The stress from this global pandemic is enough to have negative effects on your overall health. As your trusted dentist in Atlanta, GA, we want to provide you some basic information on how stress affects your dental health, and what you can do to take care of your dental health throughout this crisis:
Comfort Foods & Substances
Many people turn to comfort food during uncertain times. While this may relieve stress in the moment, it can also cause future stress later on. Make sure that you are eating and drinking all substances in moderation right now. Substances like hard-candies, potato chips, sodas, coffees, and teas are notoriously bad for your teeth. Tobacco product consumption is also known to be common under high-stress, though they are extremely bad for your overall health. Additionally, all of these substances are known to either leave behind sugary residues or staining agents on your teeth. Minimizing your intake of these substances during this stressful time can prevent you from needing extensive dental work in the future.
Don’t Stop Brushing and Flossing
Because our routines are all thrown off right now amidst this crisis, it can be easy to overlook essential self-care routines like brushing and flossing your teeth. However, it is extremely important for your dental health that you do not forget to brush and floss your teeth. Even under high-stress, brushing and flossing your teeth should be a priority because it helps limit the number of bacteria left on your teeth surfaces at all times. Additionally, your overall health is linked to your dental health. When you take care of your teeth, gums, and jaw, you are putting yourself at less risk for health complications in the future.
Facial and Jaw Tension
One of the most common responses to stressful situations is teeth grinding or jaw clenching. If you experience headaches, earaches, or jaw pain right now, it is very likely that you are holding a lot of your stress in your jaw. You should leave yourself some reminders around your home to practice mindfulness throughout the day. You can do this by taking periodic breaks to take some deep breaths, move your jaw around, and relax your facial muscles. If you suspect you are grinding your teeth at night, make sure to mention this at your next dentist’s appointment for further evaluation.
Proudsmiles understands that the coronavirus is placing an extreme amount of stress on our patients. We want to ensure that this stress does not have long term consequences on your dental health. Please schedule an appointment with us, or contact our office if you require dental care during this time. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak, patient-care hours are changing week-by-week and patients are encouraged to contact us directly to determine our current status. You can read our full COVID-19 response here.