Stress, Fatigue, And Illness Can Impact Your Oral Health

visual of a stressed personIn ideal circumstances, you may have little trouble sticking to your oral care regimen. With that said, you should make sure that you are consistently caring for your smile even at times when you are busy, fatigued, under the weather, or otherwise facing less than ideal circumstances. In less time than you might think, you can have plaque accumulate on teeth, which can harden to form tartar deposits. Once tartar buildup is present on teeth, it will remain and put you at risk for oral health problems until you have your next professional teeth cleaning. Our Prairie Village, KS dentist’s office has helped many people prevent dental problems by performing these cleanings during routine dental exams. While consistent checkups matter, it is also important to stick to a good daily routine so that you retain a healthy smile!

Your Health And Well-Being Can Interfere With Your Oral Hygiene Efforts

The way you feel can affect your mood, your motivation, and your overall energy levels. For some people, feeling under the weather or tired may make them less motivated to go through with brushing and flossing their teeth. What this means is that bacteria and food debris can accumulate and form plaque, which can later harden to tartar. Letting harmful microbes build up increases your risk for cavities as well as gum disease. If you “occasionally” let yourself off the hook and skip brushing or flossing, you can be more susceptible to problems that demand restorative dental work.

The Effect Of Poor Sleep Habits On Dental Health

Problems with your rest can impact your well-being in many ways. You might not realize it, but problems with your oral health can be more difficult to avoid if you regularly struggle to enjoy proper rest. Being fatigued at the start or end of your day can interfere with your brushing and flossing practices. You can also hurt your smile by consuming more caffeinated beverages. Many popular drink options can hurt teeth by leaving enamel stains, or by exposing your smile to more harmful sugars that cause cavities.

Are You Grinding Your Teeth In Response To Stress?

Physical responses to stress are common, but some can be concerning for your oral health. If you grind your teeth in response to problems with stress, you can wear down your enamel, which can lead to changes in your appearance as well as dental damage. If necessary, we can use a custom appliance to make sure that your teeth remain safe whenever you sleep. Nightly grinding can be particularly harmful, as you are not able to correct yourself when you feel your jaw tighten or clench.

Count On Consistent Oral Health Support From Your Prairie Village, KS Dentist

Our Prairie Village, KS dentist’s office has helped many people sustain healthy teeth and gums through consistent preventive dental care. To find out more about our preventive services, as well as our services to address problems that may have affected you, call Dr. Browne’s Prairie Village dental practice at 913-901-8585.