Mind Your Mouth: How Your Mental Health Can Affect Your Smile

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 1 in 5 US adults has a mental illness like depression or anxiety. For these people, their chances of developing other problems rise significantly. For instance, did you know that mental health can negatively impact the state of your mouth? Your oral health can suffer if you have depression or anxiety disorders. Continue to read to find out more about this relationship and what you can do to save your smile!

How Can Mental Health Struggles Impact Your Oral Hygiene?

When you experience feelings of depression or sadness, the last thing on your mind is keeping up with your oral hygiene. Getting out of bed can be a challenge, much less brushing and flossing your teeth. However, failing to maintain these daily habits allows the bacteria in plaque to infect your gums and teeth.

Those suffering depression also tend to avoid or forget to make appointments for their well-being, meaning they may not keep their six-month dental checkup and cleaning visits. As a result, gum disease and cavities become far more likely for those with mental health issues.

How Can Mental Health Struggles Injure Your Teeth?

The other most common mental health struggle is anxiety. This condition often leaves the person feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and nervous. Sometimes, they can unintentionally clench their teeth, which can create problems with the jaw joint, including pain and stiffness, as well as crack their dentition from the enormous force.

If a person feels anxious about visiting the dentist, this adds another obstacle to good oral health. Fear of the office, sounds, or other stimuli can deter the patient from seeking preventive care and treatment for problems. However, avoiding the dentist only makes existing issues worse and increases the chances of serious problems.

How Can You Protect Your Oral and Mental Health?

To stop the effects of mental health struggles on your oral health, you need to motivate yourself to continue doing the basic, simple things in your routine every day and every six months. Brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits can keep your teeth and gums strong. Also, if you clench or grind your teeth especially while you sleep, your dentist can provide an oral appliance that protects your teeth from damage.

Obviously, the best solution is to address the source of your mental health issues through counseling, meditation, exercise, and potentially medication. If you can learn to deal with your mental health in a positive way, taking care of your oral well-being should become easier.

Mental health problems are difficult enough to handle. Don’t let your depression or anxiety destroy your smile as well. When you take care of the various parts of your overall health, every part benefits. After all, when you start to recover from mental health issues, you should have a strong, beautiful smile ready!

About the Practice

The team of dentists at Dental Health & Wellness Boston doesn’t just care about your teeth and gums. We care about your overall wellness. We offer therapies that can have positive widespread effects throughout your body and help you feel better, including TMJ/TMD solutions, gum disease treatment, and sedation dentistry for those with anxiety. If you would like to make an appointment with us, go onto our site online or contact us via phone at 857-832-6032.