Your Wilmington dentist thinks it’s safe to say that we’ve all experienced added stress in 2020, on a variety of levels. Now that the holidays are on the horizon, we thought it might be a good idea to revisit this topic and learn more about the effect of stress on our oral and overall health.
Unfortunately, chronic stress is all too common among American adults. This means people are living in a constant of near panic or feeling on “red alert.” This means cortisol levels are at a constant high, leaving the body susceptible to potential damage to your cells and overall chronic inflammation. Your body’s immune system is also at risk because your DHEA hormone release is inhibited making it more difficult to self-heal.
Studies show that stress can play a role in periodontal disease. Experimental & Molecular Medicine highlighted results showing behavioral changes and increased corticosterone levels in animals with periodontal disease. The animals also experienced jawbone deterioration, decreases in the periodontal pockets or areas surrounding the teeth, and an enhanced inflammatory reaction.
Studies show that people living in a high-stress environment are more susceptible to:
There are so many ways stress can impact your entire body as well as damage your oral health functions. Let’s talk about some ways you can naturally manage your stress, feel better, and look great.
1. Watch Your Diet – Along with getting the right amount of exercise, having a healthy diet is also extremely crucial at warding off stress. Try increasing your intake of whole, unprocessed foods such fruits, vegetables, and grains. If possible, make an attempt to phase caffeine, alcohol, and sugar out of your diet. This will help your mind and body remain balanced and focused.
2. Exercise When You Can – We can’t stress (no pun intended) this tip enough. It’s so important that you maintain some sort of regular exercise routine. One of the most effective types of working out to help combat stress is doing yoga. Through the art of stretching and guided breathing, you can lower stress levels easily. The breathing techniques you learn during yoga can be a great go-to tool anytime you feel yourself starting to stress out.
3. Take Your Vitamins – Some people find that regularly taking a multivitamin rich in vitamin C, magnesium, zinc, and B-complex vitamins is also helpful in combating rising stress levels. With the proper diet and vitamin intake, stress levels can be minimized without a further compromise to your oral and overall health.
If you think stress is causing issues with your oral and overall health, please schedule a consultation with your holistic and biological dentist in Wilmington at All About Smiles. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have! Call us at (302) 239-1641.
It all adds up to better health, smile, body, and spirit!