How Do Mental Health & Oral Health Relate?

By Author: Ryan Johnson
Total Articles: 55
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You may think we dentists don’t monitor mental health. We’re not therapists; we care for teeth and gums. However, the reality is that your mental state and mouth are connected. Poor health in one leads to poor health in the other, and vice-versa. Therefore, we tell patients to care for their minds to ensure a healthier smile. I’d be happy to explain further if you’d like. To that end, here’s how mental and oral health relate and tips on caring for them both.

Unsound Mouth, Unsound Mind
If your mouth has problems, you’ll likely suffer from lower confidence and self-image. Given time, these things will put you at risk of anxiety and depression.

Remember, your smile plays a crucial role in your social life. Things like oral pain and missing teeth can lead to awkward situations. Those incidents, in turn, can result in trouble with co-workers, friends, and family. You could then fall into low moods and unstable emotions.

Low Mood = Poor Oral Health
The mental-oral connection isn’t one-sided. Just as oral issues can harm your ...
... mind, mental issues can harm your mouth. In particular, mood disorders may lead to changes that damage teeth and gums.

For example, depression and anxiety can make you neglect oral hygiene. That’s only natural – feelings of stress or despair are often overwhelming. In light of them, habits like regular brushing and flossing might seem pointless or poor use of time.

At the same time, mental illnesses can trigger bad oral habits. You might manifest your stress as jaw grinding or clenching, actions that damage teeth. Similarly, you could act out your anxiety through overbrushing. You’d then endure tooth sensitivity and receding gums.

How to Manage Mental & Oral Health
Of course, there are ways to manage your mental and oral health better. It’s just a matter of adopting the right practices. With that said, consider the tips below:

• Seek Professional Help– If you have depression or an anxiety disorder, get professional help. Proper diagnosis and treatment (therapy, medication, lifestyle, etc.) will stabilize your mood. From there, you can focus more on keeping your teeth healthy.
• Turn Oral Care into Self-Care – Say positive things about yourself as you brush your teeth. You’ll start to link oral care with a better self-image. Plus, gradual improvements in your teeth will make the affirmations feel justified.
• Follow a Better Diet – A high-sugar diet can decay your smile and upset your mind. Given that fact, eat a mouth-healthy diet in the future. The switch in food will lead to nicer teeth and a boost in mood.

As you can see, oral and mental health both need proper care; problems with one affect the other. So, remember to use the tips above. They’ll ensure a good mood and a pretty grin!