Did you know that your mental health can affect your oral health? It’s easy to understand how brushing, flossing, and regular check-ups keep your teeth and gums healthy. However, you might not realize that your emotional well-being can also affect your teeth and gums. Chronic stress, depression, and anxiety can affect oral health in various ways, and it’s essential to consider mental health in oral health care. Keep reading to learn more about the connection between mental health and oral health. Stress and Oral Health Stress and anxiety are common mental health challenges that affect many people globally. Stress can make your heart rate increase, breathing shallow, and blood pressure spike, leading to clenching and grinding of teeth. When an excess amount of the stress hormone cortisol is found in the mouth, you’re more susceptible to chronic diseases, including gum disease.2 It has also been proven to contribute to: Inflammation […]