When you are going through a hard time, taking care of your teeth may seem to be the least of your concerns. Well, in truth, that is totally understandable. When getting up in the morning drains all your energy, there is no need to mention how unimportant flossing is in the grand scheme of things. But as a Greenvale dentist, we have experienced firsthand the strong relationship between mental well-being and oral health. It’s not about adding guilt for neglecting something else. It’s about recognizing the link so you don’t get too harsh on yourself and your pearly whites along the way.
When Your Daily Routines Become Difficult
Depression, anxiety, fatigue, burnout, and other mental disorders can make you feel sluggish and unmotivated. Such activities that you used to do automatically, including brushing your teeth before going to sleep, now seem exhausting or pointless. If this is how you are currently feeling, know that you are not being lazy, and you certainly are not alone. This is a very common issue. However, over several weeks or months, skipping brushing may allow plaque to accumulate, leading to gum disease and tooth decay. And since it often doesn’t hurt initially, it comes silently.
Stress Affects Your Teeth
The human body tends to feel the effects of stress in a physical way, and the mouth tends to be a very common site for experiencing it. People tend to clench their jaws and grind their teeth during sleep due to stress or anxiety subconsciously.
Consequently, there will be pain in the jaw, morning headaches, tooth sensitivity, and even cracked or worn-down teeth. Waking up with pain in the jaw is often caused by stress.
Medication and Dry Mouth
There are many different types of medication and drugs that cause dry mouth. Although it may seem to be an insignificant side effect, saliva serves a lot of purposes such as cleaning the mouth, neutralizing the acids present in the mouth, and preventing bacteria and decay from attacking teeth.
Not having enough saliva makes the mouth and teeth more susceptible to attacks. However, it is important not to discontinue taking any medication that causes a dry mouth. Instead, discuss the issue with both the physician and the dentist. There are ways to prevent and help with the condition, such as drinking more water or chewing sugarless gum.
Comfort Foods and Your Teeth
It is normal to look for comfort foods during stressful times in one’s life. This could mean anything from snacking on sweets, drinking soda, having another cup of coffee, enjoying a glass of wine, or smoking a cigarette. There is no point in judging people because these are very human reactions.
It would be helpful to note, however, that eating sugar-filled snacks, consuming carbonated beverages, smoking, drinking alcohol, and consuming caffeine can all impact your oral health negatively.
Some mental health conditions, including eating disorders, can also affect teeth and gums in specific ways. If that’s something you’re dealing with, your dentist can help protect your teeth without judgement, alongside the support you get from your GP or health team.
It Works Both Ways
This is where things start to get tricky. The relationship between mental and oral health is a two-way street.
Persistent toothache could interfere with your ability to sleep, to feel good, and concentrate. Embarrassment about the state of your teeth could make you smile less, refuse to take pictures, or be inhibited socially. For some, such embarrassment could take its toll on their sense of self-worth. So taking care of your mouth doesn’t just mean taking care of your teeth. It could become a little part of caring for yourself.
Small Moves Make All the Difference
But if adhering to such an ideal routine feels unmanageable for you at the moment, forget about perfection. Anything that can be done reasonably is always better than no action.
Even daily brushing of your teeth is an improvement from not brushing at all. If being at the sink is too challenging, bring your toothbrush closer to you. Fluoridated toothpaste will be effective regardless of your poor brushing habits. Drink water throughout the day to ensure your mouth is hydrated. If you haven’t seen your dentist lately because of negligence, now is a good time to fix it.
Anxious about Seeing Your Greenvale Dentist?
There’s no shame in being uncomfortable about dental visits; many people feel this way. If you have been avoiding the dentist because of your fears or embarrassment, you can inform your dental team about it. There is no need to give any additional explanations. A reputable dental team will not judge you on how long it’s been since your last visit or on anything else. You can ask them to explain the procedure to you, decide on some signs of when you should stop, and start your visit with an examination only.
Your mind and your mouth are more connected than most people realise. When one is struggling, the other often feels it too. Looking after yourself doesn’t have to mean doing everything perfectly. Sometimes it just means brushing your teeth on a hard day, drinking a glass of water, or booking that appointment you’ve been putting off. Be gentle with yourself. Every small step counts, and your smile is worth caring for too.
