It’s December, which means that many of us are deep into preparations for Christmas and winter vacation. This is a highly stressful time for most, and stress is very hard on your oral health. Too much stress encourages your gums to recede and your mouth to stop fighting infections, while aggravating tooth grinding and fostering mouth sores. So, how can you manage your seasonal stressors?
One of the best things you can do is to plan ahead for the holidays. Be mindful of how much you can handle, and never take on more than your known limitations. Identify people in your life whom you can trust, and delegate important tasks to them. Finally, if anything does go wrong, try to keep in mind that you shouldn’t be taking the holidays too seriously.
Another important thing to remember is that you should avoid letting your normal routine slide. Not only is your regular oral hygiene a big part of keeping your mouth clean, but it’s been demonstrated that maintaining a routine helps to reduce your stress.
