Between the global pandemic, an intense election, and everything else that happened in 2020, it’s not surprising that it has been named one of the most stressful years to date. Now add the strain of the holiday season to the mix, and your acid reflux in Frisco may be off the charts. Unfortunately, this can wreak havoc on your oral health, leaving you especially vulnerable to cavities. Read on to learn more about the relationship between stress, acid reflux in Frisco, and your oral health, as well as five prevention tactics to implement today.
Stress, Acid Reflux, and Your Oral Health
It’s no secret that additional stress can increase the symptoms of acid reflux, although scientists are still researching the intricacies of the causality. The current theories are based on several concepts. First, the stress creates a more sensitive esophagus to lower amounts of acid, resulting in feeling the burning effect more. It could also be due to the fact that stress decreases the production of prostaglandin release, which normally protects the stomach from the effects of acid. Either way, one thing we do know in dentistry is that an increase in acidic stomach acid being more prevalent in areas where it should not be will increase cavities. It’s like the perfect storm: stress-eating sweets, a more acidic environment from the stomach acid, and typically a dryer mouth from the stress. A perfect combo to create new cavities or make small cavities get much larger very quickly!
5 At-Home Prevention Tactics
Prioritizing your oral health is always important, but it is especially crucial when you’re under a seemingly endless amount of stress. Fortunately, there are a few best practices you can implement at home to protect your teeth and gums:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day with high-quality products that have cavity protection ingredients (like fluoride and xylitol).
- Limit your intake of sugary foods and beverages, like soda and candy.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Don’t go to bed without brushing your teeth.
- Schedule your dental checkup and cleaning every six months
The last thing you want is for the stress of 2020 to manifest as much-needed dental work in the new year. If you are overdue for your bi-yearly appointment or have been struggling with more acid reflux than usual, contact your dental team right away!
About the Practice
At Stonebriar Smile Design, our team has seen firsthand the negative effects 2020 has had on our patients’ oral health. To ensure you can get the oral care you need safely, we updated our sanitation protocols, implemented COVID-19 specific safety measures, and created an extremely sterile environment. That way, you can get the preventive and restorative care you need when you need it most. To schedule your dental checkup in Frisco, visit our website or give us a call at 469-361-0081.
