World Mental Health Day: speak up and speak out!

You may think, ‘what has mental health got to do with dentistry?’ Well, quite a bit!

One of the biggest areas that mental health can impact is physical wellbeing; that includes oral health. This in itself can cause further issues that influence the health of the entire body.

The link between mental and oral health has long been established: so, how can you protect your own oral health and/or that of a loved one who is experiencing poor mental health?

The relationship between the mental and physical
Oral health is often an issue that doesn’t receive much of the spotlight in conversations surrounding mental health. Yet, poor oral health has been linked with numerous other health conditions, highlighting the importance of maintaining a thorough oral hygiene routine and healthy life habits.

But many mental health conditions, like anxiety and depression, can make maintaining a routine all that much harder. A lack of motivation is often cited as a behavioural-trait in those experiencing poor mental health: this is alongside other behaviours, like eating too much or too little and habits like drinking, smoking or taking drugs.

Together, these behaviours put one at risk of developing oral diseases, which could potentially worsen over time and require more invasive treatment later down the line.

Getting back on track
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, maintaining an oral hygiene routine may be far down the list of concerns.

But good oral health should be prioritised and encouraged: if you’re worried, speak to your dentist or another member of the dental team. They can provide you with the best advice, tailored to your specific situation.

However, just a few tips for making oral hygiene routines easier to complete might include: brushing before bed and at one other time during the day (doesn’t have to be the morning); reducing intake of sugary foods/drinks; and visiting the dentist as regularly as possible.

And remember: the Evolve team are here to support you as best as we can. If you’re worried about attending an appointment, or disclosing your struggles, email or call the team to see how we can best support you.

Support from the dental team
Mental health issues can be all-consuming, but taking charge of your health can be incredibly empowering.

The Evolve team are not mental health professionals but we are here to support you and ensure you have the right tools and knowledge at hand. Knowledge is power: when you know why good oral health is important, in addition to how to effectively protect it, you may feel more motivated to maintain these habits.