Men's Mental Health Month

June is Men’s Mental Health Month. A perfect time to check in with the men in our lives and remind them that mental health is just as important as physical health.

Here’s something that may surprise you though: your oral health and mental health are closely connected. If your teeth or gums are in bad shape, it can affect how you feel inside. Just like when your mental health is suffering, it can make taking care of your mouth much harder.

Let’s talk about how these two things are connected and how we all can take small steps to feel better, both mentally and physically.

The Connection Between Dental Health and Mental Health

Mental health issues like depression, anxiety or stress can make even simple tasks feel overwhelming. That can include brushing your teeth or going to the dentist. People who are feeling low may skip brushing, flossing or cancel regular appointments altogether.

It’s also important to note, some medications used to treat mental health conditions (antidepressants) can cause dry mouth. This makes it easier for bacteria to grow, which can lead to cavities and gum disease.

Stress can also make people grind their teeth or clench their jaw without even realizing it or even in your sleep! Over time, this can damage your teeth or cause pain in your jaw and face.

When Your Mouth Affects Your Mind

Now let’s flip it: poor dental health can also hurt your mental health.

If you have missing teeth, bad breath or visible tooth decay, you might feel embarrassed to smile, talk or eat in front of others. This can lead to low self-esteem, social anxiety and even depression in extreme cases.

Those with tooth pain or gum disease were also more likely to report feeling depressed or anxious. Constant pain in your mouth or jaw can make it harder to sleep, focus or enjoy everyday life.

For men especially, these problems often go unspoken. Many men are taught to “tough it out” or keep their pain hidden. But ignoring mental or oral health does not make it go away. It often makes it worse.

Why Men Are at Higher Risk

Research shows that men are less likely than women to go to the dentist for routine care or to ask for help with mental health.

There are a few reasons for this:

• Some men are raised to believe asking for help is a sign of weakness
• Many men worry about money, time or work when it comes to making appointments
• Less education surrounding how mental and dental health are connected
• Men also tend to have higher rates of smoking, drinking and unhealthy eating, which can hurt both their teeth and their emotional well-being

How It’s All Connected

Scientists have found that inflammation might be a key link between oral and mental health. Inflammation is your body’s way of fighting off infection. But too much inflammation (like what happens when you have gum disease) can spread through your whole body, including your brain.

This can make mental health conditions like depression and anxiety worse. It can even raise your risk for other health problems, like heart disease.

Being Healthy in Everyday Life

There are simple things we can all do to protect both our mental and dental health in our everyday life.

• Brush and floss daily: It only takes a few minutes but brushing can prevent cavities, gum disease and bad breath.
• Visit the dentist regularly: Getting a check-up every year can catch problems early before they turn into something more serious.
• Don’t ignore tooth pain or bleeding gums: These can be signs of bigger problems. Get them checked out as soon as possible.
• Talk to someone: If you’re feeling sad, stressed or overwhelmed; it’s okay to ask for help. Talk to a friend, family member or mental health professional.
• Take care of your whole body: Eat well, drink plenty of water, get enough sleep and try to move your body every day. All of this helps your teeth and your mind.

We Are Here for You

We firmly believe that every part of your health matters, including how you feel inside. Whether it’s time for your next cleaning or you just have questions about your oral health, we’re here to help.

If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, or if you’ve been putting it off because of stress or anxiety, don’t worry. We get it. Our team works hard to make your visit easy, respectful and judgment-free.

This Men’s Mental Health Month, we encourage you to take care of yourself or check in with the men you love.

Brush. Floss. Talk. Smile. You deserve to feel your best. Inside and out.