Stress and anxiety affect the human body in many ways--none of them good. For instance, when it comes to your skin, stress causes pimples, wrinkles and psoriasis among other things. A lesser known fact is that stress also affects your teeth and gums. While the occasional bout of stress or anxiety won't put your teeth and gums at risk of damage, prolonged stress will.

According to the most recent Mental Health Youth Report, 2016 saw a rise in stressed out Australian teenagers. If you have been under stress lately it's important that you find ways to relieve that stress, otherwise your teeth and gums may end up the worse for wear.

Stress Causes Bruxism/Nocturnal Grinding

Studies show that stress causes bruxism. Bruxism, which refers to the habit of grinding your teeth while sleeping, wears away the enamel of your teeth. If bruxism continues for months or years due to prolonged stress, teeth can break, chip, and even become so worn down, that they become noticeably shorter. A lack of enamel on the chewing surface of teeth also increases the risk of cavities.

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD), which affects the jaw joints, is also a side effect of bruxism. The massive stress placed on the joints whilst a person grinds their teeth in their sleep, can cause the joints to become displaced, making it difficult to eat and speak. Headaches are also another symptom of temporormandibular disorder.

Nervousness, Anxiety and Stress Cause Teeth to Chatter

Although chattering teeth is normally associated with the cold, stress and anxiety can also cause teeth to chatter, especially at moments of great stress. Like bruxism, this wears teeth down and puts a strain on the jaw joints.

Stress Inhibits Saliva Production

Everyone has experienced the sudden onset of dry mouth during a moment of great stress. It is a symptom that is often accompanied by sweaty palms, and uncontrollable shaking. Saliva is important to the health of your teeth because not only does it keep harmful bacteria under control, but it also provides protection against cavities by neutralizing acids in food and drink.

Stress Causes Gum Disease

When going through particularly stressful periods in their lives, many people tend to neglect their health. They may not brush their teeth as often as they should and eat and drink foods rich in sugar. This, coupled with the fact that stress also causes gums to become inflamed, can lead to gum disease. If left untreated, mild gum disease (gingivitis), which is when the gums become swollen and sore, can progress to the more serious form of gum disease known as periodontitis.

If you going through a stressful period in your life, do your best to maintain your oral health. That way, once you get through this stressful time, you won't have to worry about seeking dental treatment to repair the damage to your teeth.