Increased stress levels are a natural occurrence during the heightened restrictions and chaos of the ongoing global pandemic. Stress can negatively impact your well-being, including your oral health. If your mouth is not healthy, your smile can lose its luster. Dr. Sahil Goyal, a dentist in Frederick, MD, describes how stress-related habits can lead you to require cosmetic dentistry.
Drinking staining beverages
Stress can affect your sleep schedule, meaning you may be getting too little sleep or low-quality sleep. If you wake up feeling groggy, you might reach for a cup of coffee or tea for a caffeine boost to get you through your day. Dark-colored beverages, like tea or coffee, contain tannins that can absorb into tooth enamel and leave stains on your teeth, even after professional teeth whitening treatment.
Choosing a lighter colored brew or adding milk to your drink may lower the chances of tooth discoloration. To protect your tooth color, you should avoid these staining beverages or enjoy them in moderation.
Teeth grinding and clenching
Stress can lead to unconscious behavioral habits such as teeth grinding and clenching. The pressure of your top row of teeth grating against the bottom row can cause chipped, cracked, or broken teeth. Severe damage may require restorative dental work, but mild cases can be amended with cosmetic treatments, like teeth bonding or porcelain veneers. Your dentist might recommend wearing a mouthguard at night to protect your teeth from grinding occurring while you sleep.
Skipping dental appointments
During the chaotic pandemic, many individuals find it easier to miss routine appointments such as dental cleaning. This can be detrimental to your oral health. During a dental cleaning, your dentist clears plaque and tartar from spots of your mouth that are missed with traditional brushing. If left untreated, plaque eats away teeth enamel, leaving your teeth vulnerable and at risk of cosmetic deterioration.
To protect your teeth, you should schedule a dentist appointment every six months. Your dentist can also give you a fluoride treatment during these appointments which will strengthen enamel and make it more resistant to damage.
Cosmetic dentistry available in Frederick, MD
Frederick Center for Dentistry offers teeth whitening and other cosmetic dentistry options to patients in Frederick, MD. Dr. Goyal also specializes in restorative and general dentistry for patients of all ages. To schedule an appointment with us, contact our office online or reach us by phone at 301-264-5680.