YES, WE KNOW THAT going through orthodontic treatment can be a little irritating, a little stressful, and a bit of a pain sometimes. But you already know its going to be worth it! But stress can have an adverse effect on your oral health and on your orthodontic treatment. So, keep smiling through it all!

Stress Can Affect Your Oral Health

1. Your Mouth Can Reflect How You Feel:Stress can manifest itself in physical irritations that include canker sores, dry mouth, or burning mouth.
2. When Stressed, Your Defenses Are Down:Stress can compromise your immune system, which could make it easier for decay-causing bacteria in your mouth to wreak havoc.
3. Stress Contributes To Teeth Grinding:Many people grind their teeth and dont even realize it. The tension you feel during the day can manifest itself through grinding at nightseverely damaging your teeth.
4. Your Sound Oral Health Routines May Slip:While peoples minds are consumed with all their other important stuff, some put their oral health on the back burner. That could end up becoming a double whammy when compromised oral health creates even more stress in their lives.

A Remedy That Can Help

Heres the ironystress makes you less apt to smile, when in fact smiling can actually help you diminish stress! A study by psychologists at the University of Kansas showed that even a forced smile in stressful situations can lower heart rates. And a genuine smile? Even more powerful. Smiles also release serotonin and endorphins, which are major mood-boosters and stress-busters.

Dont Let Oral Health Problems Add Stress During Your Orthodontic Treatment

Here at our practice, we try to help minimize your stress. If you experience anxiety over routine visits with us, ask us about ways we can help you. Were here to help keep the power of your smile in full force! Remember that aclean, healthy mouth not only contributes to your total body health, but its also critical to effective orthodontic treatment. And a healthy body helps you deal with the trials that life throws at each of us.

Thoughts on this subject? If youve been hesitant to smile because of your braces, have you done something to overcome that fear that you could share with others going through treatment? You can leave a comment below or post a comment or direct message on our Facebook wall. Well get back to you about it right away.

Thanks for being our valued friend and orthodontic patient!