Mind and Mouth: How Mental and Dental Health Affect Each Other

Mental health issues have become more common in the last couple of decades. In 2017, about 13 percent of US teens (about 3.2 million) had a depressive episode as opposed to 2 million in 2007. In 2017, 17.3 million US adults were diagnosed with depression, compared to 14.8 million adults in 2007.

Unfortunately, these problems are complex and can impact other areas of life, including dental health. Keep reading to learn how mental and dental health are connected and what you can do to improve both with the help of your orthodontist.

How Mental Health Influences Dental Health

Depression and anxiety can lead a person to neglect their oral care. For instance, a person who stays in bed from sadness can also not feel like brushing or flossing their teeth, which can become a serious problem especially if you have braces.

These appliances require daily care, or plaque will build up, infecting teeth. When teeth with braces or other orthodontic appliances are plagued by decay, they cannot move as they should, and the patient can experience painful toothaches, adding fuel to the fire in their mind.

How Dental Health Impacts Mental Health

Mental health struggles can have many triggers, but having a negative view of your appearance definitely doesn’t help matters. If, for instance, you do not like how your teeth are aligned, you may choose not to show them often, which means you’re probably not genuinely smiling.

Studies have repeatedly shown that smiling is not only a symptom of happiness but also sometimes a cause. In other words, when you smile, your brain produces positive hormones, which give you a boost in your mood. Fortunately, if you don’t like the way your smile looks, you can take steps to correct misalignment through orthodontic care.

Caring for Both Oral and Mental Health

Often, depression and other mental health issues require professional help. You should seek out a therapist who can guide you through mental blocks causing your problems. They can help you regain a sense of self-worth and motivation to take better care of yourself and your smile.

If your self-esteem is already delicate or fragile, your orthodontist could explore less visible options, such as InBrace, Invisalign or Invisalign Teen, or clear braces, depending on your needs. As a result, you can feel more confident about your smile, even as it is being shifted to a more aligned state.

Not all mental health problems can be solved by having straighter, healthier, and more beautiful teeth, and treating depression may not be enough to have better oral hygiene. However, your efforts in both these areas are worthwhile and can give you the energy you need to keep taking steps in the right direction!

About the Practice

With six offices throughout Georgia, Serenity Orthodontics is sure to have a location near you. Our three board-certified orthodontists have years of experience and love to see lives change for the better by correctly aligning teeth. If you have questions about orthodontic treatment or would like to meet with us, call the specific location you’d like to visit or reach out to us online here.