Recently, headlines around the world have shared the research connecting Alzheimer’s and gum disease. This scientific breakthrough showed us how the pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis, which is responsible for chronic periodontitis, can cross the barrier into the brain, showing up in studies on deceased Alzheimer’s patients.
Although this news significantly changes what we know about dental health and the brain, it is only the tip of the iceberg. Scholars have shared the connection between mental and dental health for years, but the why behind the importance of taking care of your teeth and gums remains unclear.
Here, we’ll share the basics of how your mental health affects your dental health to help you understand just how vital brushing and flossing really are.
1. Your Nutrition Suffers
Cavities and gum disease stem from a lack of oral hygiene. More than just annoyances, these two symptoms lead to pain when you’re eating and drinking. Because the nerves are exposed, you’ll be more cautious about what you eat, which puts crunchy (healthy) foods like veggies and more acidic or sweet items like fruits on the “no” list.
When you can’t eat for nutrition, your body loses essential vitamins and minerals necessary for dental health. These same nutrients, like Vitamin D and B, also play essential roles in your overall mental health.
Vitamin deficiencies are a major cause of neurotransmitter disruption, affecting the brain’s production of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine hormones. Without the right nutrients, inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain increase. These conditions lead to an impaired ability to handle stress and regulate mood — key symptoms of mental health disorders.
2. Your Social Life Is Affected
Research also shows that people with poor dental health are less likely to engage in social activities. Depending on the severity of the dental issues, the individual could have difficulty speaking or eating. Rather than face the embarrassment of these issues in a social interaction, they would prefer to stay isolated.
Someone with obviously missing teeth would likely feel self-conscious about their smile. This imperfection could have a substantial effect on their self-esteem, contributing to more isolation and reducing their quality of life.
3. Your Mental Health Can Directly Impact Dental Care
Looking at your overall health from the opposite end, we see that someone with a mental health disorder is also more likely to have dental health issues. This connection stems from various factors.
Those with moderate or severe mental health illnesses can struggle with maintaining routines such as brushing and flossing independently. They may also be less likely to have access to dental care if they have limited transportation. Visiting the dentist for routine checkups, cleanings, or care when tooth problems flare up can be challenging. Since tooth decay, gum disease, and bruxism (teeth grinding) are common dental conditions in patients with mental health disorders, this lack of access and routine is a barrier to oral health.
Certain psychotropic medications prescribed for anxiety and other mental health conditions cause oral health-harming symptoms like dry mouth. Other side effects of anxiety and stress, such as bruxism, can be managed with simple fixes like a night guard. However, keeping the oral appliance clean is another routine that needs to be managed.
An easy way to maintain the night guard is to use an ultrasonic cleaner. This guide by JS Dental Lab explains what to know about ultrasonic cleaners to see if they may help you.
4. Your Oral Health Can Affect Your Opportunities in Life
Although most of us don’t want to admit it, the reality is that society has judged people on their healthy (or unhealthy) smiles for thousands of years. Today, polls show that 68% of Americans consider people with straight teeth and gums confident, trustworthy, and approachable. Even more telling is that 76% of polled individuals say someone’s smile is the first impression they see.
Whether conscious or subconscious, your oral health impacts your opportunities in life. With the confidence from a healthy smile, you may be more likely to land jobs or look for higher-status work. Instead of trying to hide what you see as an imperfection, you’re smiling during interviews and walking into social gatherings with strong mental health.
Conclusion
Maybe it’s an outdated perception, but a straight, white smile continues to be a driving factor in social and socioeconomic status. Healthy smiles reduce your risk of cognitive decline, social isolation, and stress conditions like bruxism.
It’s not the key to your mental health, but poor dental health could be a factor that causes self-esteem, self-image, and mental health to decline. Now that we understand how intertwined dental and mental health are, it’s more evident than ever that we need to take preventative steps to care for our teeth and gums.
