Even in the best of times, for many people, a trip to the dentist is an unnerving proposition. This matter is only compounded when the individual in question struggles with stress and anxiety.
Stress and anxiety can have a significant detrimental impact on a person's behavior and overall health. Therefore, we should discuss more often the extent to which the potentially damaging effects of stress impact oral health.
Today, we're discussing the effects of stress and anxiety on individuals' oral hygiene routines, and identifying some inventive ways to counteract these effects, both in our personal lives and while in the dentist's chair.
How Do Stress and Anxiety Affect Dental Health?
Stress and anxiety can significantly impact dental health in a variety of ways. Here are a few particularly noteworthy examples:
- Teeth grinding / bruxism – An estimated 10 million Americans suffer from head, jaw, or neck pain related to jaw disorders. Many of these cases can be attributed to grinding or clenching of teeth (bruxism), which can lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, which can result in enamel wear, tooth sensitivity, cracked teeth, headaches, jaw pain, and difficulty in opening and closing the mouth.
- Neglecting oral hygiene – Stress has been shown to weaken the immune system. It can also create a tendency to brush and floss less frequently and procrastinate dental checkups, further elevating the risk of bacteria and plaque buildup, which causes gum disease and tooth decay.
- Dry mouth – Stress can result in neglect of the need for proper hydration, which is a cause of dry mouth, which can lead to bad breath and, eventually, tooth decay.
Thus, we must find ways to manage stress and anxiety, both on our own and with professional help, to mitigate their impact on dental health.
Ways to Manage Oral Health Amid Stress and Anxiety
Unfortunately, stress is an inevitability of life. The good news is that it doesn't have to threaten your well-being. Here are some tips for prioritizing dental health despite stress and anxiety in everyday life:
Practice good oral hygiene – Maintaining a strong dental health routine, including twice daily brushing and flossing and regular dental visits, can reduce anxiety, both in the moment and by helping to prevent more significant issues in the future.
Stay hydrated – Drinking lots of water and limiting alcohol and caffeine can help prevent dry mouth, leading to gum disease, and reduce everyday stress and anxiety.
Practice relaxation techniques – Deep breathing, yoga, and meditation have been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety.
Wear a mouthguard – Prevent excessive teeth grinding and clenching during stressful periods by wearing a mouthguard while sleeping.
There is, however, another consideration in trying to reduce the stress around dental health.
First and foremost, exhibiting a human touch and building a relationship with each patient on a foundation of honesty and empathy is vital. Patients must feel comfortable asking questions and expressing concerns during consultations and treatments.
And when a procedure must be performed, sedation dentistry is the key to eliminating anxiety and pain.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients feel relaxed and pain-free during lengthy or invasive dental procedures. These medications can be administered in different ways and provide different types and levels of sedation based on a patient's needs and preferences. Examples of these include:
- Nitrous Oxide (or "laughing gas") is administered through a mask over the nose and helps patients relax during dental procedures.
- Oral Sedatives, like Valium and Halcion, are prescribed for patients to take orally before an appointment.
- IV Sedation is administered directly into the bloodstream, inducing a far deeper relaxation, with patients often having little or no recollection of the actual procedure.
How Sedation Dentistry Can Help Anxious Patients
Sedation dentistry is a safe and effective way for patients who experience anxiety or fear about visiting the dentist to receive the dental care they need without any of the stress that would otherwise go with it. An added benefit of sedation dentistry, beyond its relieving anxiety and pain for the patient, is that it allows dental professionals to perform procedures more efficiently and effectively, as patients who've been sedated tend to be more cooperative and responsive to verbal cues.
Sedation Dentistry in Bonita Springs, FL
If you're in the Bonita Springs, FL, area and would like to learn more about sedation dentistry's role in reducing the stress and anxiety associated with dental procedures, contact the Evergreen Dental Care team to schedule a consultation appointment!