How Anxiety Can Impact the Mouth

Of course, one of the more obvious reasons anxiety can affect oral health is a lack of proper and consistent oral care. Having depression or being caught up in a busy, overwhelming life, such as juggling a frantic work schedule combined with a hectic home life, can result in a neglect of your oral health.

Stress could also result in picking up habits that are not ideal for your oral well-being, as well as your overall health. One of those is smoking a cigarette, vaping or using chewing tobacco. There's also the potential of binge eating in an attempt to alleviate stress, such as eating a whole pizza by yourself or drinking a large amount of alcohol.

However, there are other, less apparent factors that could cause poor oral health related to stress. One of those issues involves your level of cortisol, a hormone that your body uses to control blood sugar levels. When the cortisol levels in your body increase, it can cause an increase in inflammation of your gums, and it can cause your immune system to weaken, increasing your chance of infections.

Anxiety can also increase your chance of experiencing dry mouth, canker sores or grinding your teeth.