7 Ways Stress Impacts Your Teeth and Eyes

When considering the physical effects of stress, we may typically think of headaches, back pain or digestive issues. However, one area that often gets overlooked is the impact that stress can have on our oral health and vision.

You can combat the effects that mental health struggles can have on your teeth and eyes by pairing regular dental and eye exams with other preventive measures. For AAA members living in Rhode Island, it’s even easier with access to affordable dental and vision insurance from Delta Dental of Rhode Island and DeltaVision®.

Let’s look at the different ways stress can potentially affect your smile and eyes.

How Stress Can Impact Your Oral Health

• Teeth grinding: Also known as bruxism, teeth grinding is a common issue that affects millions of people worldwide. People who grind their teeth often do so unconsciously, especially during sleep or periods of stress. Over time, bruxism can lead to worn-down, chipped or cracked teeth, and even tooth loss. Additionally, it can cause jaw pain, headaches and earaches. If you are a teeth grinder, consider using a night guard.
• Gum disease: When we are under stress, our immune system can become compromised, making it easier for bacteria to thrive in our mouths. This can lead to inflammation and infection of the gums, also known as gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease that can lead to tooth loss.
• Anxiety and depression: Stress can trigger these mental health struggles, which may lead to neglecting oral hygiene. This neglect can worsen dental issues, potentially intensifying anxiety and depression even further.
• Social and psychological effects: People who are self-conscious about their teeth and smile may purposely avoid social situations, which creates feelings of isolation and loneliness, compounding the effects of stress.

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How Stress Can Impact Your Eyes

• Discomfort and irritation: High stress levels can contribute to dry eyes and eye twitching. Lubricating eye drops can help moisten your eyes and improve comfort, especially during long hours of screen time or stressful periods.
• Eye disease: Research has found that stress is both a consequence and cause of vision loss. Chronic stress weakens the immune system, making the eyes more vulnerable to diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and dry eye syndrome. At the same time, vision loss can trigger emotional distress, leading to anxiety, fear and difficulty coping with everyday tasks, which in turn can worsen stress levels.
• Physical appearance: Stress-related sleep loss can lead to dark under-eye circles and puffiness due to poor circulation and fluid retention.

How to Stress Less for Healthier Teeth and Eyes

• Identify your stressors. The first step to mitigating the effects of stress on your oral health and vision is to recognize what’s stressing you out. Once you know your stressors, you can start to develop strategies for coping with them.
• Reduce stress in a way that works for you. Managing stress looks different for everyone. Some folks like exercise, others may prefer meditation or deep breathing exercises. Seeking support from a good friend or family member can distract you from your worries, but quiet time alone could also be a great way to relax and reset.
• Establish healthy habits. Getting enough sleep and avoiding smoking and drinking will benefit your overall well-being. And of course, practicing good hygiene habits like brushing and flossing regularly, avoiding sugary and acidic foods and drinks, and routinely seeing a dentist and eye doctor for checkups can significantly lessen your chances of developing stress-induced dental and vision health issues.

By recognizing the signs of stress, taking steps to manage it and keeping up with regular dental and eye exams, you can support your overall well-being. With affordable dental and vision plans from Delta Dental of Rhode Island and DeltaVision, you can protect and maintain a healthy smile and healthy eyes for life. If self-care is not enough, your physician or a professional therapist can also help.

AAA members in Rhode Island can take advantage of exclusive rates from Delta Dental and DeltaVision®. Get your custom rate today.

Sarah Vincelette

Based in Rhode Island, Sarah has been a copywriter and content producer with AAA Northeast since 2021. When she’s not scouring the best spots for all things food and drink or whipping up her own versions of tasty meals, you can often find her in the garden, planning her next trip or sipping on (another) hot coffee.