Oral health and mental health: the overlooked link
Whilst it’s often overlooked as just a routine part of your day, your oral health routine can be that small but significant bit of self-care that sets you up for the day. It's also a big contributing factor to your self-care and mental health.
We can all be guilty of neglecting our teeth and gums. This might mean occasionally skipping brushes, but if you find you have abandoned your oral care altogether there could be a much more serious underlying cause.
Whilst not widely discussed, there is an undeniable link between our dental hygiene and our mental health. Here we take a look at the often-ignored connection between mental health and oral health.
The link between oral health and mental health
Have you ever had that nightmare where your teeth fall out? You aren’t alone. A quick search will throw up a dozen or so surveys that show this is a universally frequent nightmare. It’s up there with falling and being chased.
The underlying meaning of a dream like this is open to interpretation, but the fact remains that we humans have extreme anxiety that is linked to losing our teeth.
If you are familiar with our story, then you know that the pain of an aching tooth and anxiety about the dentist is what inspired Truthpaste in the first place. The physical pain of teeth or gums affects the body as a whole. The limitations of everything from speech to mobility can be overwhelming and distressing.
We are good at taking our teeth for granted, but when there are problems with our teeth and gums, the effects on our mental health are clear and well documented. Whilst the link between oral health and mental health isn't immediately obvious in your self-care routine, the two have a symbiotic relationship. One affects the other and vice-versa.
Oral health and confidence
Having issues with teeth and gums can have a drastic impact on your confidence. There is a negative stigma attached to having missing or bad teeth. Bad oral health can be the result of many contributing factors. Unfortunately, it is stigmatised in the same way that mental health is. Those suffering from dental issues report feeling unable to socialise or enjoy their day-to-day as they had previously done.
Oral health and Depression
Aside from the social aspect of oral care issues, the pain associated with them can very easily lead to feeling lethargic, unmotivated, and depressed. The behavioural habits associated with depression can mean that oral health continues to decline whilst untreated.
Conversely, it is well documented that depression itself can lead to poor oral health. Diet and personal care are often cited as the main reasons for a decline in oral health in depression. However, more complex and biological causes are at play here.
Oral health and Anxiety
However it may present, anxiety affects people both mentally and physically. Like depression, issues with your teeth and gums can give rise to anxiety or anxiety can adversely affect your teeth and gums. Common tropes such as grinding teeth, dry mouth, and vomiting that are associated with anxiety can all cause damage to the enamel and overall issues with overall health.
Oral care is self-care
When looking more closely at the relationship between oral health and mental health, it's easy to see the effect that one has on the other. Your oral-care routine is just one way that you can take a bit of time out to make yourself feel good. A brushing experience that makes you feel really clean and fresh can be a small step to feeling positive for the start of a new day or refreshed after an exhausting one.
Truthpaste Original was intended for that very feeling. When a crippling toothache took hold, those all-important antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties were what eased the pain for Marisa!
It is extremely important that you talk to someone if you feel that your mental health is suffering. If your oral health is causing you to feel anxious or depressed then your dental practitioner can advise you. Going to your GP or organisations such as the Samaritans is a positive first step in facing mental health issues.
Resources
Thomas A. Arcury, PhD, et al. (2009) Oral Health Self-Care Behaviors of Rural Older Adults, J Public Health Dent.
Julio Torales, Iván Barrios, Israel González, (2017), Oral and dental health issues in people with mental disorders, Medwave 2017
Samaritans, sarmaritans.org call: 116 123
Yu, C. K. C. (2012). Dream motif scale. Dreaming 22, 18–52. (APA PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)
Kisely S, Baghaie H, Lalloo R, Siskind D, Johnson NW (2015a) A systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between poor oral health and severe mental illness. Psychosomatic Medicine. 77(1):83–92.
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from 800 reviewsAbsolutely love these products. Will definitely be buying again.
Wonderfullly effective, leaves mouth, tongue and teeth feeling very clean. Simple to use, natural product and sensitive packaging
Excellent mouthwash. Leaves your mouth feeling really clean and fresh but not harshly treated.
Absolutely love this !!! Very minty & can really tell the difference with the natural oils super clean teeth now and stopping inflammation
I have been using this toothpaste for at least three years and it is the best I have used. I am told by my dentist that I have excellent hygiene for last two to three years too. I am a long term vegan and always try to be env-friendly and obv avoid palm oil too. Excellent. The price is off putting but it lasts ages so it balances out, all things considered.
A nice plastic free alternative that's hygienic and long lasting. Nice appropriately sized scoop end to get into the glass jar with ease and ensure you get the right amount of paste on your brush, plus the narrower handle end is good to use in the smaller travel size tins. It also makes a good tongue scraper!
I've used mouthwashes in the past that feels like they're going to burn my tongue off...this one is much milder, especially as you can dilute it a bit with water but still freshens the mouth and does the job. No nasty plastic container, nice natural ingredients!
I read some people see big differences within only a few days of use. I thought I'd give it a bit longer before adding my review. I have a condition and it comes with fragile tooth enamel and high sensitivity. Most toothpastes are too strong, too abrasive, only offer comfort for a few days use. I also hate waste and difficult to recycle/reuse traditional toothpaste packaging. A week in using truthpaste and I'm extremely satisfied with the outcome. Vastly reduced sensitivity so far and nice clean teeth! Spatula that came with my pack can also serve as a handy tongue scraper! No more plastic waste...a lovely little jar that's recyclable, but I'll be keeping for storing things in. I like the handy travel sized tins too. So far...so good. Thanks Truthpaste!
This toothpaste in combination with my Suri toothbrush is perfect
Really like this toothpaste, leaves my teeth feeling really clean with a nice freshness. I have tried tooth powder and tables but so far this is so much better.
Great product and feels safe to trust truthpaste for providing quality ingredients .
Like a mouth spa every time! No more pain and bleeding.. great at disinfecting and cleaning… really is so botanical.. I love it! It’s my go to toothpaste now.
After seeing adverts on social media I decided to try Truthpaste. The fact that it's fluoride free - the healthier option, it was worth a try. Anyway, love it. The peppermint & wintergreen has a really fresh taste & prefer the jar & spatula to a tube of toothpaste. I also bought the mouthwash which leaves your mouth feeling fresh & the charcoal floss is a great improvement on shop bought floss. I was so impressed, I put my second order in & my husband is now converted.
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