Stress and poor mental health can make it more difficult for you to maintain good oral health, which can result in a number of dental problems.
People who suffer from multiple mental health disorders are less likely to seek proper dental care or maintain good oral hygiene, which can lead to poor dental health. Fear of visiting the dentist can worsen both oral and mental health problems. Poor oral health can harm your self-esteem and have a negative impact on your mental health. Smiling can make you feel better because it releases chemicals in your brain that improve your mood.
Mental health and oral health are complicatedly linked. Both help each other.
How dental health and mental health are linked
Many people are afraid of going to the dentist. Approximately half of all dental patients express anxiety about their visits, which can develop into a phobia. Stress, anxiety, and depression can all be exacerbated by poor dental health. This can make you even less willing to visit the dentist.
Isolation can be caused by mood disorders. They can make it difficult to find the motivation to continue practicing healthy self-care, which includes regular dental tests. People suffering from mental illness, particularly those suffering from mental disorders, are more likely to have poor oral health for the following reasons:-
- Neglect and lack of care for oral hygiene
- Poor nutrition and diet contribute to an increased risk of tooth decay and gingivitis.
- Alcohol, tobacco, and drug use are more likely.
- Overbrushing due to compulsion, causing tooth enamel harm
- Medications used to treat mental illness that causes dry mouth, which can lead to a variety of dental issues
- Eating disorders, which cause nutritional deficiencies that affect the teeth, as well as purging behaviors, can weaken tooth enamel.
- Teeth grinding as a result of anxiety or high stress can cause your teeth to wear down, crack, or break.
There is also a biological link between poor oral health and mental illnesses. When you are depressed or anxious, your body produces more cortisol, a stress hormone. Cortisol levels that are too high weaken the immune system, increasing your risk of gum disease, mouth sores, and infections.
People suffering from mental illnesses frequently complain of cryonic pain with no discernible physical problem. This can occur as burning mouth syndrome or atypical facial pain, both of which are more common in people who are depressed.
Prevention:-
Maintaining your oral health can improve your mental health, and vice versa. Keep stress to a minimum while continuing to maintain important self-care habits, such as daily teeth brushing and flossing and seeing medical and dental health providers on a regular basis, to avoid common oral health issues associated with poor mental health, such as dental caries, gum disease, and dental erosion.
A variety of factors, including biological, genetic, social, environmental, and behavioral factors, contribute to mental illnesses. High levels of stress are risk factors for mental illness. Stress reduction can aid in the prevention of both mental health and dental issues. Good nutrition, regular physical activity, and good oral hygiene habits can all help to prevent dental and mental health issues. Discuss any changes in your physical or mental state with your medical, mental health, and dental practitioners. To avoid serious health problems, address any potential concerns as soon as they arise.
Conclusion:-
Regular dental tests and a good oral care routine are essential for overall well-being and mental health. Early intervention to keep a bright, clean smile can boost confidence and social interactions. Furthermore, a healthy, pain-free mouth leads to a better mental state as well as a lower risk of other diseases.
Also, read…
Vithoba Oral Guide 