Word of Mouth

Employers are prioritizing mental health more than ever, but many may not realize that stress also affects oral health. Research of over 2,400 adults found that individuals with higher perceived stress reported poorer oral health and more frequent oral pain. The effect was strongest among people without dental coverage, highlighting the importance of preventive care.
 

Stress as a silent contributor to oral health issues

Stress can affect oral health in several ways, including gum inflammation, oral pain, cavities and teeth grinding (bruxism), one of the most common and impactful consequences.

Psychological stress is strongly linked to bruxism. In one study, roughly 64% of participants had bruxism, and those individuals also experienced higher anxiety levels.

Stress can lead to:

• Increased jaw muscle tension and repetitive movement
• Enamel wear, tooth fractures and jaw discomfort

Without early intervention and preventive care, these issues can escalate to costly restorative treatments and emergency visits. Some Delta Dental plans even cover mouthguards, which help reduce the effects of nighttime teeth grinding and jaw clenching.
 

Enhance your benefits offering

Preventive dental care is a valuable tool for supporting employees beyond mental health programs. Coverage can help your workforce by:

• Detecting gum disease early
• Monitoring stress-related enamel wear
• Intervening before emergencies arise
• Providing access to occlusal guards with select plans
   

Position your organization as a proactive employer

By educating employees about the connection between stress and oral health, you can:

• Reduce avoidable claims and costs
• Support overall employee well-being
• Address oral health disparities linked to stress and coverage gaps
• Promote the use of preventive care benefits

Delta Dental provides a member-friendly Stress and Oral Health flyer that can be shared in workplace wellness communications to help employees understand the impact.

Helping your employees connect stress management with oral health prevention positions your organization as one that cares about workforce well-being, promotes prevention and mitigates costly outcomes.