What is The Connection Between Your Dental and Mental Health
The connection between mental health and dental health World Mental Health Day was first observed in the year 1992 due to an initiative by the World Federation for Mental Health. We celebrate World Mental Health Day with the aim of spreading awareness about mental health to combat the social stigma surrounding mental problems.
In this era, the cases of mental problems related to stress and tension are increasing every day. People may or may not recognize the importance of mental health these days and continue to ignore serious mental issues like depression and anxiety.
Mental problems and disorders affect millions of people worldwide and have devastating effects on the body. They affect our hormones, immune system, organ functioning, and also our teeth and gums treatments.
Stress not only affects your brain but also the health of your teeth!
Stress hormones affect every part of your body. These stress hormones act directly or indirectly on our body causing symptoms in the near future.
Cold sores — Cold sores, gum problems, loss of tooth enamel, mental stress are some of the effects on oral health. Cold sores are nothing but white spots in your mouth that are harmless but can be painful to touch, which disappear in 1 or 2 weeks. Your best dentist Jaipur will recommend an oral gel that you can apply to relieve the discomfort of these sores.
Conflict — Due to stress, many people have a habit of grinding their teeth against each other without realizing it. This habit of grinding, otherwise known as bruxism, may go unnoticed as some people grind their teeth while sleeping. This wears down the outer layer of the tooth and can cause problems with the jaw joint or even your bite. Another reason for stiffness is the habit of biting nails due to stress which people are not aware of.
Erosion — The concern is associated with acid reflux or acid peptic disease which causes stomach acid to be released into the mouth. These acids are harmful to your teeth and can result in tooth wear over time which can lead to sensitivity.
Xerostomia (dry mouth) — Dryness of the mouth or reduced flow of saliva in the mouth can be a sign of poor mental health. Decreased saliva flow in the mouth can further increase the risk of cavities in your teeth.
Lichen planus — This is an inflammatory condition that affects the mucous membranes of your oral cavity. White/reddish, swollen and raised patches appear on the cheeks, gums and lips. They cause discomfort, burning sensation and are sensitive to hot/spicy foods.
How to reduce stress during dental treatment?
For the past few decades, our lifestyle has affected us to such an extent that people generally suffer from anxiety, stress and depression. These mental effects can have a negative impact on health — and oral health is no exception.
Stress can be easily handled when it comes to dental treatment. If you are particularly anxious or have trouble relaxing before a dental procedure, your dentist may prescribe some anti-anxiety medication for that purpose.
In addition, dental practices are evolving to make dental procedures less invasive and more comfortable for the patient. There is a vast difference between the oral surgery of today and the surgery of a decade or two ago.
Here are some ways to reduce the stress associated with dental problems:
Try taking it easy with a busy lifestyle for a while. Sometimes, a busy schedule may make you neglect your oral health which can only increase your dental problems.
Consult your dentist for the best treatment options for you. Do not ignore symptoms such as pain, swelling and difficulty in chewing.
If you think you might have a habit of grinding your teeth, ask your dentist about getting a night guard. You will need to wear this device at night to minimize the stress on your jaw.
Avoid tobacco products and alcohol to reduce your existing oral problems.
Some patients may have the habit of grinding their teeth day and night due to stress. Due to this the muscles of the face become tense and there is pain while opening and closing the mouth. That’s why stress management should be taken seriously.
How to relax during your daily routine for better mental health?
Nature has designed our body in such a way that our body is able to deal with stress for a short period of time. Today’s life is such that many of us suffer from anxiety, depression and are prone to procrastination and overthinking without limits.
Letting go of the things that stress us out is something we all have to learn and find out how things work best for us. Everyone is aware of stress and its effects on our body but no one is really aware of how to reduce the stress level in daily life.
You can start with conscious relaxation of your mind even when you are at work. Close your eyes and practice deep breathing for 5–10 minutes between your work hours. It helps reduce your stress hormones and gives you the ability to deal with challenging situations during the day.
Exercise and Yoga for Mental Health
Exercise helps to keep fit not only your body but also your mind. For some, working out in the gym proves to be a good stress-buster, while some people do not want to or cannot do workouts and yoga to be more effective.
Yoga works at the level of the mind. It works on the root cause of stress. Yoga teaches you how to manage your lifestyle and lead a healthy life.
The stress level in the workplace is on the rise with 6 out of 10 employees and hence many medical yoga institutes are coming up with office yoga, in which people are asked to do some exercises every hour and are also taught that they How to manage your stress body, emotions. Think and act and have a healthy and positive mind.