August 14, 2025
Every aspect of your health intimately affects every other aspect, and your oral and mental wellbeing are connected in a variety of remarkable ways. By taking care of your teeth, gums and soft oral tissues, you can set your brain up for healthy functioning and help reduce issues like depression and anxiety. Here’s a brief guide to the relationship between oral and mental health and how you may be able to maximize both of them with your dentist’s help.
Oral Health Issues Can Make You Less Willing to Smile
People who smile frequently are more likely to be seen as confident, friendly, competent, and trustworthy by those around them, and the very act of grinning encourages your brain to release natural feel-good chemicals like endorphins and serotonin. Unfortunately, many people are anxious about smiling due oral health issues like dental decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. Your dentist can help you prevent or address these issues so you can smile proudly and feel more socially engaged.
Constant Pain Will Take a Severe Toll on Your Mental Health
Anyone who has ever had a toothache caused by dental infection will tell you they are remarkably painful, and having to deal with this issue frequently will result in your nervous system being exposed to more cortisol, which is a hormone related to stress and discomfort. Addressing the chronic pain caused by oral infections and injuries at your dentist’s office can eliminate much stress from your life, which can help you maintain a positive outlook and free up a lot of your strength for productive endeavors.
Depression and Anxiety Can Make It Harder to Practice Proper Oral Hygiene
Depression can lead to symptoms like lethargy and apathy, and these can make it difficult to care enough to brush and floss your teeth every day. While you might think that anxiety would make people more eager to keep their teeth clean, some individuals with the issue may find looking at their smile in the mirror so stressful that they are reluctant to give their teeth the attention of a thorough hygiene session. Worsening oral health can exacerbate both these mental health issues, resulting in a vicious smile of unhappiness and dental decay.
The good news is that making an effort to improve one aspect of your health may in turn improve other aspects as well. Consulting with your dentist can help you understand how to maintain a beautiful smile you would love to show off.
About the Practice
Majestic Dental offers the finest oral health services in the Woodlands. Led by Dr. Yazan Sadeddin, the staff treats each patient with exemplary courtesy, respect, and compassion. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. To learn more about how you can achieve a healthier and more beautiful smile that can make it easier to stay positive, contact the practice on the web or dial (281) 820-6412.