That dental health is crucial for maintaining your overall well-being is well-known but its impact on your mental health is often overlooked. Numerous studies have established a link between the two stating that since oral health problem affects a person's daily living, it eventually hits their mental and emotional state as well. Dr. Gunita Singh, B.D.S., M.D. Dental Lasers says while the two may not be directly connected, the effect a person's poor dental health can have on their mind cannot be ignored. Here's more to what she said.
Dental Health And Mental Health: The Connection
A 2022 study titled "Association Between Mental Health and Oral Health Status and Care Utilization" found that several respondents with unmet dental needs have poor mental health. "Visiting the dentist in the last year was more common amongst individuals with good mental health" and "Individuals with mental illnesses are more likely than those without to have suboptimal oral health," stated the paper published by the National Library of Medicine.
The research paper concluded that those with subpar dental health had several common psychological issues like "depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or a phobia." Dr. Singh attests to this and says that people who are "not blessed with beautiful smiles or they are undergoing treatments" face bullying for life.
She adds that there are many girls she is aware of who are not getting job offers or marriage proposals "due to irregular teeth or stains or pits on the anterior teeth." This creates immense pressure on them resulting in the girls getting "depressed and upset and taking counselling for the same."
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"We see patients with stress start grinding their teeth so much that it leads to attrition of enamel (gradual eroding of the tooth surface because of tooth-to-tooth contact) and sensitivity. So it’s all correlated," Dr. Singh highlights, adding that this is why cosmetic dentist's office sees such a huge rush nowadays.
Suppressing Feelings Manifest in Dental Problems
Aashmeen Munjaal, ontologist and mental health-relationship expert, and Shukrana Gratitude Foundation founder, adds more to that.
She says, "Teeth are not just physical structures but also reflect emotional states. For example, tooth sensitivity often indicates suppressed emotional expression. When individuals frequently feel hurt over minor issues yet suppress their feelings, it can manifest as heightened dental sensitivity.
"This physical symptom acts as a signal from the body, urging us to address unresolved emotions. Acknowledging and expressing emotions instead of suppressing them not only nurtures the mind but also prevents physical manifestations like tooth sensitivity," Ms. Munjaal wraps up.
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