When Demi Moore revealed not long ago that she lost both of her front teeth due to stress, it highlighted a shocking link between stress and our oral health. However, it's not only such extreme consequences that our soaring stress levels can have on our smiles. Here, celebrity dentist Dr Richard Marques of Wimpole Street Dental, details some signs that stress could be damaging your teeth in other ways – and what action to take.
1. You notice your teeth becoming translucent or getting shorter
'This may be as a result of grinding the teeth. You may need to use a bite guard to protect the teeth from wearing down further.'
2. Your gums are bleeding more
'This may be a sign of gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis), which can be caused or exacerbated by stress. You might need a gum treatment such as deep cleaning (aka root planing).'
3. You experience dental abscesses
'Stress can cause these as your body can be less able to fight off gum infections. Antibiotics or further treatment may be required for this.'
4. You feel an ache or clicking in your jaw joint
'You may need a treatment for the jaw, such as a special splint or even Botox to relax the muscle.'
5. You experience root canal problems
'These can be caused by stress if the grinding becomes so severe that the nerves of the teeth are exposed. Root canal treatment may then be needed to remove the nerve from the teeth.'
6. You develop bad breath
'Stomach acids can build when you are stressed and lead to reflux and other compounds that causes bad breath. You will need to see your GP for this and may need treatment with antacids or other medication. This may require further investigation of the stomach lining.'
7. You bite your cheeks
'For some people, this is a habit that is developed to cope with stress. Acupuncture or hypnosis are treatments that can be used to help relax and prevent this.'
