It has been pointed out that stress, depression, and anxiety are associated with mouth ulcers by a cross-sectional study (Alshahrani and Baccaglini, 2014).
If you're currently feeling anxious and overwhelmed by stress, you might experience these oral conditions: Canker sores. Dry mouth. Lichen planus (lacy white lines, red areas or mouth ulcers on the cheek, gums or tongue)
One of the main causes of mouth sores is emotional stress. If you are stressed, anxious or upset this can trigger an outbreak. The two kinds of sores that can manifest are canker sores or cold sores.
The most common cause is injury (such as accidentally biting the inside of your cheek). Other causes include aphthous ulceration, certain medications, skin rashes in the mouth, viral, bacterial and fungal infections, chemicals and some medical conditions. An ulcer that won't heal may be a sign of mouth cancer.
glossodynia or "burning mouth syndrome" – a burning pain on the tip of the tongue that often affects people with depression.
Depression can also lead to dry mouth and a decrease in saliva production. This can make it difficult to swallow, which can lead to mouth sores. In addition, people who are depressed may be more likely to smoke, which can also hurt oral health.
Use salt water or baking soda rinse (dissolve 1 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 cup warm water). Dab a small amount of milk of magnesia on your canker sore a few times a day. Avoid abrasive, acidic or spicy foods that can cause further irritation and pain.
A mouth sore that lasts more than 10 days should be evaluated by a doctor or dentist. Isolated mouth sores in people with no other symptoms or risk factors for a systemic illness are usually caused by a viral infection or recurrent aphthous stomatitis.
Nutritional deficiency
It has been noted in several studies that canker sores are either caused or triggered further when there is a deficiency of folic acid, zinc, or iron in the human body. Deficiencies of calcium can also cause canker sores, but more than causing them, calcium deficiency can worsen the situation.
For example, patients with depression and anxiety are more likely to develop mouth ulcers according to a series of observational studies (Huling et al., 2012; Alshahrani and Baccaglini, 2014; Ma et al., 2015; Ge, 2018); high levels of psychological stress were found in mouth ulcers patients (Gallo Cde et al., 2009); ...
Stress increases your risk for gum disease.
This can be particularly troublesome when it comes to your oral health. When your immune system is worn down by stress, the harmful bacteria in your mouth seize the opportunity to wreak havoc on your gums. Ultimately, this causes an infection of the gums known as gingivitis.
Bruxism (tooth grinding): stress commonly triggers the grinding, clenching or gnashing of teeth during the night. It can lead to jaw disorders, headaches, chipped or damaged teeth and other dental problems. Dry mouth: anxiety and stress often result in a dry mouth, which has a negative impact on oral health.
See a dentist or GP if your mouth ulcer:
lasts longer than 3 weeks. keeps coming back. grows bigger than usual or is near the back of your throat. bleeds or becomes more painful and red – this may be a sign of an infection.
Although there are many types of mouth sores, the most common are canker sores, cold sores, leukoplakia (a thick white or gray patch) and candidiasis or thrush (a fungal infection).
Mouth sores often go away in 10 to 14 days, even if you do not do anything. They sometimes last up to 6 weeks. The following steps can make you feel better: Avoid hot beverages and foods, spicy and salty foods, and citrus.
Mouth sores may also arise due to allergies, autoimmune disorders, bleeding disorders, a weakened immune system, or (in rarer cases) oral cancer. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus.
Antibiotics like Doxycycline mouthwash may be helpful in the management of recurrent canker sores. Low-dose oral doxycycline may also be taken as pills. Prolonged therapy with antibiotics for canker sores may cause oral thrush or mouth candidial infections as complications.
Gingivostomatitis is an infection of the mouth and gums that leads to swelling and sores. It may be due to a virus or bacteria. Inflammation of the gums is called gingivitis. Bacteria in plaque around the teeth release enzymes (collagenases) that can damage and erode the gum tissues.
Canker sores are fairly common, but that doesn't mean they should be ignored. If you have sores that last longer than 2 weeks or you can't eat or drink because of the pain, call your doctor. Also call if you get the sores more than two or three times a year. Usually, no tests are needed to diagnose canker sores.
Gum disease is a potent source of inflammation which can trigger depression and mental health disturbances. However, it is now clear that inflammation can play a direct role in the development of mental illness, so there is a two-way relationship.
Anxiety tongue often refers to the physical effects that anxiety may have on your tongue and mouth. These effects may include tingling, twitching, numbness, burning, or pain in your tongue or mouth. Treating anxiety may relieve your tongue symptoms.