82 W. Main Street Northborough, MA 01532

Current Patients (508) 393-8816

New Patients (508) 506-1691

Negative Cosmetic Effects of Pandemic Stress

The regulations and health concerns associated with the ongoing global pandemic have led to increased stress levels in many individuals. Stress can be detrimental to your overall wellbeing, including your oral health.

Deteriorating oral health can mean that your smile is not looking its best. Dr. Robert Gauthier, a dentist in Northborough, MA, describes three stress-related habits that can lead to cosmetic damage that may need dentistry intervention to repair.

 

Beverages That Stain

Stress can disrupt your sleep schedule. If you wake up feeling groggy, you may turn to tea or coffee for a caffeine boost to help you get through your day. These beverages get their dark color from tannins, a substance that can absorb into tooth enamel and leave stains on the surface of your teeth.

Adding milk to your beverage, drinking through a straw, or choosing a lighter-colored brew can lower the risk of tooth discoloration, but these tips do not eliminate the risk completely. If you notice yellowing, staining, or discoloration in your teeth, you can talk to your dentist about professional teeth whitening options.

Teeth Grinding

Heightened stress levels can initiate or exacerbate a teeth-grinding or clenching habit, often referred to as bruxism. The grating of the top row of teeth against the bottom row creates an abnormal amount of pressure that can cause chips or cracks in your teeth.

Major damage will need restorative dental work to repair. Minor cases can be resolved with cosmetic dental solutions like tooth bonding. Your dentist may recommend wearing a mouthguard overnight to protect teeth from continued grinding that may occur unconsciously as you sleep.

Skipped Dental Appointments

Many patients may think it is easier to skip a visit to the dentist rather than try to schedule an appointment during the chaos of the pandemic. This mentality can be detrimental to your oral health and inherently the appearance of your teeth.

During these visits, dentists thoroughly clean your teeth and examine your mouth for potential dental concerns. These visits ensure your teeth are strong enough to resist cosmetic damage so that your smile looks its best.

Cosmetic Dentistry Services Available in Northborough, MA

Apex Dental offers professional teeth whitening and other cosmetic dentistry treatments to patients in Northborough, MA. Dr. Gauthier 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 508.506.1691.