
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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Let customers speak for us
from 1693 reviewsThe Mouthwash is fantastic but bottle very small does not last long.

The Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste is excellent and works on sensitive teeth. I have been trying to get away from Sensodyne for some time by using other less chemical based toothpastes including other types of Truthpaste but after a few days of using the 'other' the sensitivity was back and I had to go back to Sensodyne. Thankfully, Hydroxyapatite is amazing and I have no sensitivity so will continue to use.

I find that this toothpaste helps to remove staining

I am very impressed with the bundle. My teeth are whiter and not so sensitive. My teeth feel clean all day too.

I e been wanting to get away from froride for a while, truthpaste was my first experiment, I'm now on peppermint & spearmint truthpaste and I'm quite happy to stick with it, it's healthy, froride free, and gives me a super clean feel.. that's all I require..X

Love it nice peppermint flavour that refresh my mouth

I love this mouthwash. My mouth feels so clean and fresh after using. Great for in between meals and is really good at getting pesky bits of food from between my teeth.

I've been using this truthpaste for about a month and it has helped with the sensitivity of my teeth and also plaque. It also seems to be helping remineralise my teeth but I think it's going to take a little longer to be sure of that.
The peppermint flavour is quite strong and it would be good to see it available in an alternative flavour such as fennel. Peppermint could cancel out the benefits of homeopathic remedies for those who use them.

We got 4 pots and had to inspect them pretty closely to find the flaws! The toothpaste tastes exactly the same and it's my favourite toothpaste in the world. Get it!

This tooth paste has a great taste leaves your mouth fresh , I noticed my teeth definitely look whiter /and enamel denser and stronger in two weeks of use. Win win 🥇

I like the fresh flavour of the fennel.
Also I use homeopathic remedies and value fennel toothpaste.
I feel that this toothpaste does my whole mouth and well being good.
thank you

Ive been struggling to find anything that really helps my gums as well as my teeth. Getting older, NHS dentist impossible to find; truthpaste goes far and beyond the capabilities of not only other natural toothpastes, but the modern day chemical storm horrors too. I am so glad I found this!

All that needs to be said :-)

Great product great taste leaves whole mouth feeling fresh and clean. Love this brand

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