Stress and your Smile
It is important to talk about holiday stress and how it can affect the smile, because, if we don’t, you may not even know what is happening right under your nose. One of the side effects of stress that dentists see is bruxism, the habit in which you grind your teeth or clench your jaw. The danger of bruxism is that it’s a “secret” condition. Those who do it don’t know it because it occurs while they sleep. When they might realize there is a problem is when they chip or crack a tooth, or experience the unpleasant symptoms of TMJ dysfunction.
Resolving Holiday Stress before it Starts
We know that the holiday season, though joyous, carries stress triggers. Because we know this, we can develop a plan of action to mitigate these triggers before we find ourselves feeling depleted. Consider self-care tactics that are unique to you. These may include:
- A morning/evening workout or walk.
- Yoga or meditation.
- Spending a few minutes a day reading a good book.
- Listening to your favorite music.
- Eating healthy food in a comfortable setting (don’t fall into the fast-food rut!).
- Saying no when you need to.
There are so many reasons to love the holiday season. Diving in with a plan for stress management can mean that you avoid burnout and the potential dental problems that may result from the added excitement of the season.
Our friendly team wishes you and your family happiness and health now and through the year.
