What to Do if Parenting Stress is Impacting Your Teeth

Although you might adore being a parent and love your children, this does not mean that it won’t be stressful and that there will not be times when all you want to do is relax. If the stress of parenting and juggling different parts of your life is starting to get to you, and this is having an impact on the health of your teeth, read on for some guidance on what to do.

Get Composite Bonding

When you are stressed, you might find that you drink more tea, coffee and other substances that can stain your teeth. You might also find that you care for your teeth less, which can lead to staining and problems such as tooth decay. If your teeth have become discoloured and stained due to your stress, you should consider procedures such as composite bonding. Composite bonding can help your teeth to look whiter and erase stains, as well as cover up chips and gaps in your teeth so that you can achieve the smile you want. You should make sure that you look around for and dental team with a lot of expertise and experience to perform this treatment, though. If you think that this option might be right for you, you should look around for well-reviewed dentists that offer composite bonding in Leicestershire and beyond.

Wear a Mouth Guard

When you are struggling with stress, you might find that you start to grind your teeth at night. You might notice that you are grinding your teeth because you are experiencing pain or discomfort when you wake up. You might also notice that you have a stiff or painful jaw in the mornings and you might even have pain in your neck or shoulders. If this is the case, you should look at wearing a mouth guard while you sleep, as well as trying to recreate a peaceful sleep environment and relaxing before bed. This can help to prevent your teeth from becoming sensitive or cracking. This expert dentist in Decatur TX recommends getting a custom one from a dentist instead of purchasing off-the-shelf mouthguard to ensure that it fits snuggly.

Reduce Your Stress

However, the most important step that you can take for both your physical and mental health is to reduce your stress. You can do this by trying meditation and yoga, and by increasing your exercise levels. You should also try to get time by yourself to enjoy your hobbies and interests and consider asking for help with childcare from relatives or childcare services. It is also important not to compare yourself to other parents or feel as if you have to be a perfect parent all the time.

Look at Your Diet

It is also vital that you look at your diet when you are stressed. You might favour sugary or salty snacks when you are stressed, and you might not be as interested in fruit, vegetables, and other foods that are not comforting to you. It is vital that you try and avoid associating food with relaxation and stress release, though, as sugary foods can even make your stress and anxiety worse. Instead, you should make sure that you only snack when you are hungry and you should try to opt for healthy options every time.

Our partners