As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on your journeys, accomplishments, and areas where you can improve. While personal and professional goals tend to get much of the focus during end of year reflections, one aspect of your well-being that deserves special attention is your oral health.

*Updated May 2025

Stress is something most of us encounter regularly, whether it’s due to work, family, or other life challenges. While stress can affect your mood and energy levels, did you know it can also take a toll on your oral health?

Many people are unaware that chronic stress may be linked to common dental issues, ranging from gum disease to teeth grinding. Explore the connection between stress and oral health and how you can reduce its impact on your smile.

How stress affects the body

According to the World Health Organization, “Stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives.”

Certain types of stress, such as the natural stress response, help our body prepare for a perceived threat by releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones give you more energy by increasing your heart rate and blood pressure while also slowing nonessential functions that are not considered beneficial to the fight or flight response.

Why does this response happen? Millions of years ago, ancient humans faced threats such as predators that required a fast response from the body for survival. Today, modern humans may not deal with the same types of threats, but dealing with heavy workloads, caring for families, paying bills, and other day-to-day activities can still be perceived as threats by the body.

Normally, once a perceived threat is gone, hormone levels return to normal, and the body can return to an unstressed state. However, if someone is feeling constantly stressed, these hormones cannot return to normal levels. This inability to “turn off” the hormones can disrupt nearly all of the body’s functions, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The connection between stress and poor oral health

The link between stress and poor oral health isn’t as widely studied as its impact on physical and mental well-being. However, research has identified several oral health issues associated with high stress levels, including:

• Increased teeth grinding (bruxism): Stress can often lead to teeth grinding or clenching. This habit can wear down tooth enamel, cause tooth sensitivity, and even lead to jaw disorders.
• Gum disease: Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infections, including gum disease.
• Dry mouth: Stress can reduce saliva production, leading to dry mouth. Saliva plays a crucial role in washing away food particles and neutralizing acids in the mouth. A dry mouth increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
• Unhealthy eating habits: During stressful periods, people often turn to sugary or unhealthy comfort foods and drinks. These choices increase the risk of cavities and gum issues.
• Neglect of oral hygiene: High stress levels may result in neglecting oral hygiene routines such as regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups. Poor oral hygiene directly contributes to various dental problems.
• Canker sores: Stress is known to trigger canker sores, also known as mouth ulcers, in susceptible individuals. Canker sores are small sores inside the mouth that are typically located on the tongue, inner cheeks or lips, and the roof of the mouth.
• Compromised immune function: Chronic stress weakens the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections, including oral infections.

Manage stress to improve your oral health

Reducing stress not only benefits your overall well-being but can also improve your oral health.

Here are some effective strategies from the American Psychological Association to help manage stress and protect your teeth and gums:

• Practice relaxation techniques: Mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing exercises can help lower stress levels and prevent the physical effects of stress on your body. Taking time each day to relax can positively impact your oral and mental health.
• Exercise regularly: Physical activity is a proven way to relieve stress and improve mood. Aim for regular exercise, whether it’s a brisk walk, yoga, or more intense activities like running or cycling.
• Maintain a healthy diet: Eating a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can improve your overall health and help manage stress. Avoid excessive sugar and caffeine, which can increase anxiety and contribute to dental issues like tooth decay.
• Get professional help: If you’re struggling with chronic stress, consider speaking to a therapist or counselor. Mental health professionals can provide valuable strategies to cope with stress and its impact on your body, including your oral health.

Regulate stress to protect your smile

Although stress is a normal part of life, it’s important to recognize how it may be affecting your oral health. By understanding the link between stress and dental issues, and taking steps to reduce your stress levels and staying consistent with brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly, even during stressful times, you can protect your smile and overall well-being.

Remember to consult your dentist if you notice any signs of stress-related oral health problems, and work together to develop a plan to keep your mouth healthy and pain-free.

*Updated October 2024

The changing of seasons from one to the next often brings with it a “sick” season, which means there may be a domino effect of illnesses like the common cold passing between you and your loved ones. Most of the time, sniffles, sneezes, sore throats, and runny noses are the main symptoms to look out for during this time.

However, there may be another common cold side effect plaguing you that you might not expect: tooth pain.

Reasons your teeth hurt during the common cold

Many people don’t think about tooth pain as a symptom of the common cold. But, if you consider your anatomy and where many bothersome symptoms of the illness occur, it makes sense that your teeth may be impacted.

The reason for discomfort starts with your sinuses. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Your sinuses are four paired cavities (spaces) in your head. Narrow passages connect them. Sinuses make mucus that drains out of the passages in your nose.”

It’s important to note that sinuses are located near the center of your face, including in the forehead, cheeks, and nose. The sinuses in the cheeks and nose are close to the upper part of your jaw.

Most of the time, your sinuses are clear and not inflamed. However, when you have a common cold or other illness, the cavities may fill up with excess mucus and fluid. This buildup can cause a feeling of stuffiness, pressure, and pain in your face, nose, and even your teeth, particularly the upper molars.

If you’re experiencing tooth pain in addition to other symptoms, it might be due to a common cold or other illness. However, if the pain lasts for more than 10 days or becomes unbearable, it’s important to talk with a dental professional in case there’s an underlying reason for the discomfort.

Tips to relieve tooth pain caused by the common cold

When you’re not feeling well, the last thing you want to deal with is tooth pain. The good news is there are remedies you can do at home that may help alleviate some of the discomfort that comes with sinus pressure.

Here are some suggestions from the Mayo Clinic:

• Warm compresses, steam, and humidity can help get mucus moving out of your sinuses and can reduce pain. Breathing over a bowl of boiling water can help with this too.
• Using saline to wash out your sinuses not only helps rinse away mucus, but it also provides moisture directly to the inflamed area.
• Get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids.

If your tooth pain continues after your common cold is gone, you may have an oral health problem that needs to be treated by a dental professional.

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