You may think that stress is reserved only for adults, but stress can also take a toll on a child’s emotional, physical, and psychological state. There are a variety of potential stressors that can cause anxiety in children. Believe it or not, your child’s mouth can serve as an important indicator when looking for signs of stress. Just as anxiety, disrupted sleep, or lashing out can be warning signs that your child is under extreme stress, there are a handful of oral indicators as well. Stress has become commonplace in today’s world, and if you want to know how much of an impact it has on your child, the distinguished pediatric dentist in Los Angeles, Dr. Moradzadeh will discuss how stress can affect your child’s oral health.
The Silent Signs
Too much stress can lead to a decline in a child’s overall health, from which can also cause problems in the child’s teeth, jaw, mouth, and gums. Many dentists can detect signs of stress during a routine examination because of the following symptoms a patient presents:
- Teeth Grinding and Jaw Clenching: Stress and anxiety is one of the leading causes of teeth clenching and grinding. Nervous tension, anger and frustration can cause kids to clench and grind their teeth without even realizing it. Therefore, it is important for you to keep an eye out for the following signs in your child’s mouth: tips of their teeth appear flat, tooth enamel has rubbed off causing extreme sensitivity, and/or tongue indentations.
If left untreated, habitual jaw clenching can lead to problems with the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) and the associated muscles used in moving the jaw and neck.
- Canker Sores: Canker sores are small spots with a white or gray base and red borders. They generally occur inside the mouth and are not contagious. Experts are unsure about the exact cause of these mouth sores but they are often triggered by trauma and stress.
- Poor Oral Health Habits: Living in extreme stress can cause children to skip brushing and flossing, and can lead to poor eating habits. If your child does not maintain proper oral hygiene habits, they increase their chances of developing cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease at an early age.
It is in everyone’s best interest to get to the root of the problem and figure out why your child is experiencing these stress or sand come up with a treatment plan with the help of a professional as soon as possible. If your child is experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, schedule an appointment with Dr. Moradzadeh, highly reputable pediatric dentist in Los Angeles, by calling 213.748.8448 and for further information please visit www.CrystalDentalCenters.com to learn more.
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