NYC 3 Ways to Reduce Stress | New York Dentist OfficeIt is now December and the holidays are in full swing. There will be parties, dinners, shopping, traveling, and spending time with family. But it also means there is likely to be a lot of stress from those activities. Stress can affect people differently, but in most cases, it has a negative impact, like anxiety, depression, fatigue and pain. Did you know that stress also affects your dental health? Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is often caused by stress. Grinding your teeth can cause your teeth to crack, give you headaches, and slowly wear down your teeth so they need crowns or dental implants to repair them. Clenching your jaw also has similar negative effects.There are a few ways you can reduce and release stress this holiday season that will benefit your overall health and your teeth. The first is to eat a healthy diet. The holidays are a time when good eating habits get thrown out the window, but bad eating can wreak havoc on your overall health and your teeth. Make sure you are eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and minimizing your sugar intake. Also, it is easy when it is cold outside to get dehydrated, so drink enough water. The second way to de-stress is to exercise. Walking for just 30 minutes a day has shown great health benefits and reduces stress. A third way to de-stress is to spend time relaxing. This can be anything that takes your mind off planning or doing work. Doing light stretching, listening to calming music, listing things you are thankful for, or taking a bath are all things that can be relaxing. The key is to choose something that you enjoy and will look forward too. Dr. Lattinnelli and Associates want to make sure that you take time to de-stress during the holiday season. If you have any concerns about your dental health, or need to schedule an appointment, call our Upper East Side cosmetic dentistry office at 212-752-7188.
