Why am I depressed about my teeth? Yes, we all dream of having nice sets of teeth to give us all the glamorous looks and stares whenever we smile wide. But we may all not get it as we want and that can be problematic.
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Some people do not smile as wide as they should because they feel bad about how their teeth look and how funny they might look when they smile. This brings down one’s confidence and low self-esteem. Depression may even set in.
 I hear people say they are depressed about their teeth. What does it mean when someone says that? And what are the necessary questions and factors to look at? This article would guide you on the depression of the teeth.
Table of Contents
Can Have A Bad Teeth Cause Depression?: Depressed About Bad Teeth
Having bad teeth naturally brings mixed feelings. What if people laugh at me when I talk? Will they employ me with this bed set of teeth of mine?
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Do I qualify to be called beauty? These thoughts alone may leave you in a very depressing state such that you will have little or no confidence at all.
Depression has to do with the state of the mind. It is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest.
Based on the definition of depression you have your answer. The mixed feeling you experience about your bad teeth is a sign of depression and this can be troubling.
When depression sets into any situation there is a cause to be alarmed because depression is a serious disorder to deal with.
The missing teeth may even discourage an individual to become socially isolated and feel bad about himself. One can think of suicide when he or she is depressed.
What Depression Does Do To Your Teeth?
According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, almost two-thirds of people with depression reported having a toothache in the last year.
Apart from the reasons we all know that could cause bad teeth, your mood can also play a role in damaging your teeth.
Most gum diseases are related to mood conditions like stress, anxiety, and depression.
Depression can make you lose interest or concentration in your oral and dental health habits, which may lead to dental complications.Â
For instance, you are likely not to brush the whole day when you are stressed or depressed about something and you doing this continuously could cause you your dental breakdown.
Medicine taken to cure depression can also have an effect on the teeth and lead to gum issues like gum inflammation and periodontitis.Â
Depression however goes a long way to work on the teeth and can provide bad sight to the teeth.
How Do You Cope With Dental Depression?
Depression can be a long-term disorder if no effective treatment is done. There are some helpful ways in which one can cope with dental depression.Â
Visiting your dentist regularly for updates and encouragement can have to you manage your dental depression. Speak to someone about your fear of bad teeth.
That alone may relieve you from worrying too much. Read a lot on dental research that may help you to cope with your depression and may even provide ways to have good dental health again.
I Have Bad Teeth What Are My Options
Having bad teeth can be frustrating. Bad teeth can be a result of poor dental hygiene or natural factors.
Whatever the reason might be there’s an option for everyone who is depressed about their teeth.
- Brushing twice a day:
Brushing two times a day should become a habit and a priority. Many people have bad teeth due to poor dental care and not brushing twice a day or not at all.
Brushing before bed removes food particles that may cause bad teeth bad breath that may sometimes lead to tooth decay.
Brushing two or three times a day doesn’t only give you nice teeth but a good breath that gives you that confidence to speak and smile wide without any cause to worry.
 Ideally, you should brush after every meal to keep yourself healthy always. But due to some reasons like eating at the workplace where you do not have your brush, there can make you not to brush.
This is why brushing in the morning and before bed is recommended because during that time you are home and have all the necessary materials for brushing.
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- Visit the dental clinic:
It is advisable to go check up on your teeth with the dentists to be sure your teeth are doing well.
This should be done at least every six months and you do not have to have bad teeth before you go to the dentist.
- Change toothbrush when old:
A toothbrush should not be used over three months. It should be changed after every three months or even less. When you brush the brush cumulates particles into the bristles of the brush.
This happens for some time and the dirt becomes too much for the brush to take so it rather brings back the dirt cumulated in the brush for the past three months or more into your mouth.
And this dirt goes to work on your teeth giving you bad teeth and breathing.
- Know the type of toothbrush that is good for you:
The type of toothbrush does matter in bad tooth occurrences and difficulties.
It is most advisable to use a toothbrush with very soft bristles so that you may have a clear and gentle cleanup of the teeth to avoid damaging the gum.
Hard toothbrushes are not good, however, they may be the best option for smokers and those who are drugs.
It is good to identify the type of toothbrush that is good for you to prevent bad teeth and other dental complications.
- Limit what and how you eat:
Your eating habits can lead to teeth problems. What you eat can affect your teeth. Avoid too many sweets and too cold or too hot foods. Pay attention to yourself.
Is there something you may be eating that anytime you eat it you have a problem with your teeth? If yes then you should stop eating eat or talk to your dentist about it.
How you eat your food can also make you have bad teeth. Do not force your teeth on hard food substances.
Chew food in a bit to massage your teeth. Brush before eating and after eating if possible.
- Flossing:
Flossing prevents gum disease and gum decay.
- Saliva:
Your saliva contains decay-fighting antibodies that re-mineralizes small spots of decay in teeth.
This can best be achieved when you limit the number of times you eat each day.
Watch This Video:
My Teeth Are Rotting And I Have No Money.
Money is one of the reasons most people with dental issues do not visit the dentist. Thinking about the money to pay for your dental treatment can be depressing on its own.
Well, some cities provide free dental care or charge low prices so that everyone no matter the race can have access to it. So donations are also made for dental treatment at some dental clinics.
How To Fix Depression
It can be very problematic to have to deal with depression. When it happens this way it is very necessary and important to go to a rehab center for special treatment to cure.
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Rehab center, also known as rehabilitation is a drug addiction treatment to provide, give support, and care to people who have problem with drug addiction, depression and finds it difficult to put a stop to it. It is a program that is often provided in a residential setting.
Try not to focus on what is causing the depression. Free your mind, do things that give you peace and take you away from thinking about the issue such as having bad teeth. This will gradually take off your mind from feeling bad.
FAQ
Dental issues can cause or aggravate depression, just as depression can cause or worsen terrible teeth. This is due to two basic factors. To begin with, terrible teeth can have a big impact on a person's healthy body image.
The salivary glands might damage your oral health if you're depressed. When your saliva production is reduced, you may have dry mouth, which increases your risk of dental decay.
It is beneficial to provide a comfortable, safe, and calming atmosphere for patients during dental visits. Frequent recare visits, xerostomia products, fluoride varnish therapy, or an occlusal guard may be considered for individuals with depression.
Manage Anxiety by Visiting a Dentist Try to be as truthful as possible. Tell them about your anxieties, what you do on a regular basis to maintain your dental health, and what you eat. They'll tell you what's likely causing your dental troubles and what you can do about it.
Inform your dentist about the situation. Many patients, understandably, are hesitant to tell their dentists about their mental health. However, it's critical that your dentist understands why you're having difficulties concentrating on something as simple as cleaning your teeth.
So, can your teeth shift or move as a result of stress or anxiety? The answer is an unequivocal YES! If you develop bruxism as a result of stress or anxiety, the regular grinding and clenching of your teeth, as well as the pressure placed on them, may cause them to shift slightly in position over time.
You're more likely to brush and floss at irregular intervals, miss dentist appointments, eat an unhealthy diet, and smoke if you're sad, for example. Depression and anxiety have a number of biological consequences that affect dental health. The stress they cause is manifested in the body as cortisol, a hormone. Can Having Bad Teeth Cause Depression?
What Depression Does To Your Teeth?
How Do You Cope With Dental Depression?
How Can I Stop Worrying About My Teeth?
Should I Tell My Dentist I Have Depression?
Can Anxiety Affect Teeth?
Why Does Depression Make It Hard To Brush My Teeth?
In Summary
Bad teeth can make an individual feel less of himself and this leads to depression that can even lead to committing suicide.
Visiting the dentist every six months, brushing twice a day, and eating well can help save you from bad teeth depression.
