Bad Mood = Bad Gum Health

During an emotional time in your life, you probably change your behavioral patterns to adjust to your feelings. Don’t be tempted during those times to neglect your dental health.  Visit Dr. Kania during negative life events, such as trauma, stress, and illness, to defend against your risk of gum disease.

Negative Life Events

Studies show that the severity of gum disease increases with the amount of negativity in your life. Negative life events include:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Loneliness
• Depression
• Trauma
• Death of loved one
• Illness
• Physical or Mental Abuse

Dental Neglect

When coping with your emotions, you may change your daily habits and be hyper focused on your situation. Often these are times that people forget to brush and floss daily or they change your eating habits in a negative way. Some stressful events may also stimulate an increased risk of alcohol, tobacco, or drug use to help cope, or self medicate. All these behaviors can worsen the condition of your teeth and gums.

Stress

As you go back to school and work after the holidays, don’t let your workload overwhelm you. Stress increases the amount of the cortisol hormone in your bloodstream. Cortisol influences your blood pressure, weight, and mood. Increased levels of the hormone can also cause gum inflammation, making your gums weaker to fight off bacteria and infection. Furthermore, stress may make you grind or clench your teeth, which wears out your smile.

If you’re suffering from a negative life event, try to cope by exercising and resting. In addition, try to force a smile on your face. Smiling—even fake smiling—automatically releases endorphins into your body to instantly make you feel better and elevate your mood.

Tooth pain and gum disease are two other negative conditions that could bring you down. During your appointment with Dr. Kania, be sure to discuss any life-changing events or new behaviors that could be affecting your mouth. Dr. Kania can treat your gum disease.  That’s something to smile about! Contact our dentist office in Encinitas, California, at (760) 642-0711 to request an appointment. We welcome patients from Encinitas, La Costa, Carlsbad, Oceanside, San Marcos, Del Mar and the greater San Diego area.