Dentists often report choosing their profession because they want to make people smile, and depression is one mental health condition that can discourage someone from grinning frequently. This issue involves symptoms like persistent sadness, reduced motivation, and less willingness to engage socially, and it can make keeping up with a proper oral hygiene regimen much more difficult. Here’s a brief guide to how depression can affect your oral health and how you can keep your own or your child’s smile in great shape.
Depression Can Make It Difficult to Stay Motivated for Proper Oral Hygiene
People with depression frequently report losing interest in the activities they used to love as well as habits of daily living such as cooking, cleaning, and hygiene. Feeling depressed may make someone less motivated to spend the time necessary to brush, floss, and rinse with antibacterial mouthwash every day, and this can set them up for disaster. While it might be easy to rationalize skipping a single oral hygiene session, the consequences of missing many will add up quickly and lead to nasty oral infections like tooth decay and gum disease.
Not Smiling Frequently Can Worsen Your Depression
Depressed people don’t typically smile easily, and this may inhibit the release of their brains’ natural feel-good chemicals that may help them reduce their symptoms. Smiling encourages the brain to release endorphins and serotonin, and these neurotransmitters can ease the symptoms of depression by inducing a better mood and a sense of well-being while making it easier to feel socially connected.
Neglecting your oral hygiene while depressed will diminish the beauty of your grin and may make you less willing to show it off. Not smiling frequently may in turn worsen the downward spiral of depression and make proper oral hygiene increasingly difficult.
How Can I Keep My Smile in Great Shape?
For many people with depression, one of the best ways to get over the negative feelings it causes is to maintain a robust self-care regimen that includes smart eating habits, vigorous exercise, intentional gratitude, and excellent hygiene practices. This can give these individuals the momentum they need to stay productive and socially engaged while minimizing their intrusive feelings of sadness and social isolation.
To keep your teeth or your child’s teeth in great shape, make sure your family sticks to the following regimen:
- Brush at least twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, using short, gentle, circular strokes and fluoridated toothpaste.
- Floss at least once daily to remove debris and plaque from between the teeth.
- Use antibacterial mouthwash daily if you are over the age of six.
- Wear a customized nightguard from your dentist to bed if you grind your teeth in your sleep. The frustration caused by depression may make someone more likely to grind.
- See your dentist regularly for routine exams and cleanings.
Don’t let depression make you less proud of your gorgeous smile. Consulting with your dentist can help you find the best ways to keep your grin in excellent condition.
About the Author
Dr. Praveena Muddana is a general dentist who earned her degree at the New York University College of Dentistry and regularly sharpens her skills through continuing education coursework. She is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association, the Wisconsin Dental Association, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Her offices in Grafton and Milwaukee offer general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry for kids and adults. For more oral hygiene tips, contact her office online.