Parents usually assume that their kids live a carefree life and don’t have a care in the world. But the truth is that kids experience stress as well. It can be from social pressures, school work, changes in lifestyle, or changing peer relationships. Just like adults, stress can cause fluctuations in appetite, and also negatively affect sleep schedules in kids. However, a lesser-known fact is that stress can also affect kids’ dental health. But don’t worry, the Children’s Dentistry in Carlsbad can help you in maintaining your child’s oral hygiene.
How can stress affect your kid’s oral health?
Most people, including kids, face a normal amount of stress in their daily lives. However, when this stress turns into chronic stress or excessive stress, it can affect your child’s health and even impact other areas of their life. Moreover, kids are not very adept at managing stress or even expressing what they are going through. Hence, it is important for parents to stay alert and look out for some common signs of stress. Some common stressors are as follows:
Academic Pressure
Juggling too many activities at once
Arguments or issues with friends or schoolmates
Family-related issues (parents often assume that kids are not affected by familial issues especially if it isn’t talked about openly. However, children are way more observant than you may give them credit for)
Moving away
Changing Schools
The following are some symptoms that can indicate that your child is stressed
Headaches or stomach aches
Sudden or recurrent bedwetting (in that they had stopped wetting their bed but suddenly started doing so again)
Disturbed sleep cycle
Anger tantrums
Separation Anxiety
As evident, stress can cause multiple problems. Apart from the aforementioned issues, the following are some ways in which stress can affect your child’s dental health:
Sores
Herpes simplex virus can result in cold sores. And while the exact cause of canker sores isn’t known, experts believe that it is caused by vitamin deficiencies, a weakened immune system, and some other factors. If your little one is suffering from canker sores, make sure to immediately take them to the Carlsbad Children’s dental care. Although stress is not the direct cause, stress can trigger the development of both cold as well as canker sores.
Bruxism
Also known as teeth grinding, this habit is quite common in young children. It’s not necessarily a concern as most kids stop grinding their teeth by the age of 6. However, if they don’t stop grinding their teeth by 6 or they have stopped grinding their teeth but have started again, then it is advisable to take them to a Carlsbad Children’s dentist.
Pain in the Jaw
Might be hard to believe, but stress can cause pain in the jaw. Kids often clench their teeth or jaw when they are under stress. And this can put a lot of pressure on the jaw and cause pain. This can also result in facial swelling or difficulty chewing. If you notice these symptoms, then take them to the Carlsbad pediatric dentist.
Conclusion
Stress can also trigger poor habits in children. When under stress, most people end up making poor dietary choices or even binge eating a ton of unhealthy food. Kids are no different. This can cause cavities and decay. Make sure that your kid eats a balanced diet and help them in managing their stress so they don’t make poor food choices.
