When we think of stress, most of us think of headaches, sleepless nights, and tight muscles. But did you know stress can also take a toll on your teeth? If you’ve noticed increased tooth sensitivity during high-pressure times, you’re not the only one. It can cause sharp pains throughout your day, ruin your ability to enjoy hot and cold treats, and add even more stress to your plate!

Our emotional and physical health are so intertwined, and the relationship between stress and sensitive teeth is surprising proof of that. So we’re diving into ways stress can cause sensitivity and how to find relief for sensitive teeth through stress management and daily use of our hydroxyapatite toothpaste.

the link between stress and sensitive teeth

We’ve outlined a few ways stress goes hand-in-hand with tooth sensitivity.

• teeth grinding: one of the most direct ways stress manifests in the mouth is teeth grinding. This can cause jaw pain and enamel damage. When the enamel wears down through constant grinding, it can expose the more sensitive layers of your teeth and lead to chronic sensitivity if left untreated. By prioritizing mindfulness, stress management, and hydroxyapatite toothpaste, you can find relief for sensitive teeth and jaw tightness.
• overworked immune system: stress can weaken your immune system, which can make it harder for your mouth to fight off infections. This can lead to gum disease and recession, both of which can expose the “roots” of your teeth that lead to your sensitive center nerve.
• dry mouth: stress can slow down saliva production by way of hormonal changes, anxiety medications, and more. Saliva plays a crucial role in washing away bacteria, neutralizing acids, and forming a protective “shield” over sensitive areas. When you have dry mouth, your teeth can become very sensitive and vulnerable to the harms of bacteria.
• dietary changes: stress directly impacts our gut and appetite. A common example of this is when you feel “butterflies” when you’re nervous and don’t really feel like eating. This can cause us to seek comfort foods we wouldn’t normally eat, like starchy, sugary, and acidic foods. Some people have the opposite effect, and stress makes them eat more often (frequent snacking/grazing). This can expose your enamel to more acids and sugars over time, increasing sensitivity too.
• acid reflux: stress can fuel acid reflux, which can lead to tooth sensitivity. If you only experience acid reflux during stressful times, some mindfulness and stress management should do the trick. But if you experience it more often than not, we recommend visiting a medical and functional doctor to identify the root cause. This should help you find relief for sensitive teeth and your whole body.

On top of these things, our pain perception can change when we’re stressed and anxious. This means that your pre-existing sensitivity can feel worse during high-pressure times. Stress directly impacts your nervous system, which plays a key role in how we sense discomfort. So stress can amplify the actual sensation of your sensitivity, even if you haven’t been grinding your teeth, changing your diet, or experiencing dry mouth.

stress-reducing strategies + relief for sensitive teeth

From mindfulness to hydroxyapatite toothpaste, we’ve gathered a list of strategies to help you soothe your stress-induced sensitivity.

• mindfulness: this is the ability to acknowledge your thoughts, senses, and feelings (emotionally and physically) as they exist in the present moment. Mindfulness can allow you to scan your body without judgment to notice stress and acknowledge where you hold it in your body. Is your jaw tense? Is your mouth dry? Are your shoulders hunched? Mindfulness is the first step in stress management, and you can practice it anytime throughout the day.
• stress management: whether it’s deep breathing, yoga, meditation, sound baths, nature walks, gym sessions, massages, therapy, a dialed-in sleep routine, or anything else, it’s key to find stress management techniques that work for you. Take note of how you feel after a session....are your breaths longer and deeper? Has your mind stopped racing? Does your jaw feel loose? Did your tension headache go away? Has it provided you with relief for sensitive teeth?
• proper hydration: this one is key for your oral and overall health, especially if you experience dry mouth. Staying hydrated (plus supplementing with water-rich fruits and veggies or a xylitol chewing gum) can combat symptoms of dry mouth and flush harmful bacteria from your mouth.
• sensitivity-friendly diet: a mouth-friendly diet for tooth sensitivity and dry mouth includes nutrient-rich whole such as yogurt, legumes, seafood, tofu, lean meats, fibrous fruits and veggies, and healthy nuts and seeds. It steers clear of overly acidic, sugary, sticky, and hard substances to avoid worsening your symptoms.
• mouth guards: if you’re grinding your teeth at night and nothing seems to help (or you can’t find the root cause), a mouth guard can be a great short-term solution. This will keep your teeth from rubbing together and wearing down your enamel so quickly, so you can avoid the piercing sensitivity that often accompanies clenching.
• nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste: hydroxyapatite toothpaste can be a game changer when it comes to relief for sensitive teeth. Many of our customers report sensitivity relief within just a few days of brushing with our hydroxyapatite toothpaste. It works to deliver essential minerals to your enamel, repairing damaged areas covering exposed “roots” to provide tooth sensitivity relief at the source.

Our third-party lab testing shows that Davids hydroxyapatite toothpaste outperformed leading conventional sensitive toothpaste products. It effectively repaired and blocked exposed passageways to the tooth’s center nerve, providing quick and effective relief for sensitive teeth. Not to mention, our incredible formula now comes in peppermint and orange vanilla, delicious flavors for the whole family.

Whether you’re going through a particularly stressful time or not, brushing daily with our nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste can help you soothe or avoid sharp, disruptive sensitivity. We want you to be able to enjoy your everyday moments to the fullest (including a hot drink or cold treat), and brushing daily with hydroxyapatite toothpaste can help you do just that.

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