27 July 2016
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

Did you know that maintaining your dental health can do much more than keep your teeth white and your gums healthy? It is becoming increasingly clear that good dental health can also have a positive effect on your mental health. Below are 3 ways in which oral hygiene can benefit your brain.

Cognitive Function and Memory

Studies have shown that people who suffer from gum disease are more likely to be affected by poor memory and cognitive function. There is some evidence that gum disease may also place you at increased risk of illnesses such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease in later life.

Self-confidence

Your teeth play a key part in your self-image. If you have poor teeth is it likely your self-confidence could be reduced as you become worried about smiling and speaking in public. You may even begin to avoid smiling during interactions with other people, which in turn could cause them to behave negatively towards you. This can become a vicious circle which can have a severe impact on your metal health. Maintaining good oral health can also affect other areas of your body. If you are conscious of the impact of sugary snacks on your dental health, it is likely you will eat less of them, which could help you to lose any excess weight and improve your overall self-image and boost your confidence. Studies which questioned people about the impact the appearance of their teeth  had on their day-to-day routine have demonstrated that poor dental health can have a negative impact on a person's quality of life.

Reduced Dental Pain

If you have sensitive teeth or other dental pain, it can really take the joy out of life. Who wants to sip an ice-cold cocktail and wince in pain rather than enjoying the taste? While it might seem small, over time constant dental pain can have a highly negative impact on your life and could cause you to avoid your favourite food and drink. Dental pain causes your body to release cortisol, the body's stress hormone, which can cause you to become irritable, anxious and depressed. 

If you would like to know more about how to improve your dental health and how this could lead to an improvement in your mental health, you should contact a dentist. They will be able to assess the current state of your dental health and offer any necessary treatment and advice.