The Mind-Tooth Connection: Tackling Mental and Oral Health

If you’re struggling with your mental health, you already know how difficult it can be to do tasks that others consider second nature. Sometimes, brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, or even booking a dental appointment is an insurmountable chore.

Our culture has a bad habit of associating poor oral health with failure. However, it’s important you know this isn’t something you should feel guilt or shame over. Everyone needs help with something, and dentists are there for those who need help with their oral health. They’ll support you with care and resources – including this informational article on the connection between your mind and your teeth.

Motivation Affects Oral Routines

Depression, mood disorders, and even plain ‘ol fatigue can make our motivation wax and wane. On a bad day (or maybe every day depending on your situation) simply brushing and flossing your teeth can sound exhausting. Sometimes, knowing what can happen if you don’t maintain a routine actually makes wrangling up your motivation even harder.

Instead of thinking about the negative consequences of not cleaning, try centering your oral routines around something you can enjoy. You can upgrade your experience by purchasing new cleaning tools, listening to music, or even lighting candles. The possibilities are endless, but for some direction, try to think of things that can help you get started or wind down your day. Your dentist can provide additional support with more frequent cleanings.

Somatization Through Your Teeth

“Somatization” is when stress is voiced through physical symptoms. It’s most commonly associated with anxiety disorders, but you don’t need a diagnosis to become a victim of somatization – just a lot of stress.

When emotions speak through your oral health, it can look like teeth grinding, clenching, or overly aggressive brushing. Grinding and clenching can cause jaw pain, while aggressive brushing could make your gums recede. Your dentist can treat these oral issues with orthodontics or gum-soothing techniques, but it’s equally important to treat your emotions. A therapist can help you with coping strategies and possibly prescribe medication.

General Dental Anxiety

Biannual checkups and cleanings are essential parts of good oral hygiene. They’re so important, in fact, that insurance often covers 90-100% of these preventive care treatments. If you’re avoiding appointments due to fear, your dental anxiety is considered debilitating by DSM-5 standards.

That said, no one’s telling you to “just deal with it”. Pointing out how important these visits are and how severe dental anxiety can be shows that feeling comfortable during dental treatment is crucial. Your dentist takes this seriously. To help you relax, they may recommend administering laughing gas or prescribing a sedative pill.

Get Help Where You Need It

Everyone needs help with something. When that something is your mental health, psychiatric professionals lend you an ear and recommend proven coping strategies. When that something is your oral health, dentists take your mental health into consideration when providing their services. They’ll do their part to reassure you and can give personalized recommendations for how best to maintain your pearly whites.

About the Practice

Our team at Sunrise Dental Center is here to support you! We understand that promoting good oral health isn’t always simple. If you’re struggling with your mental health and need some extra help, please give us a call. We’ll work with you so we can provide the care you need. You can contact our office at 713-869-9973 or explore our website for more information.