Most people don’t realize how important their oral health is until they have an achy tooth or start to see decay. However, maintaining good oral hygiene is an important part of your overall health and can promote greater quality of life. A strong set of teeth and gums mean you can eat the foods you want and drink liquids you love.
Good oral hygiene is also an indicator of your overall health, as taking care of your teeth usually means you eat a low-sugar diet with plenty of important nutrients for growth and maintenance. Here are four ways your oral health can affect your quality of life.
Limits social engagement
You may not realize it, but your oral health and ability to socialize effectively are integrally tied. Symptoms of poor oral health and hygiene can lead to compromised social and psychosocial functioning. As a result, those around you may start to form negative health perceptions about you, potentially weakening your social bonds.
In everyday terms, poor oral health means you’re less likely to do things like meet new people and make a positive first impression. You’re less likely to greet new acquaintances with a wide smile and may even find that the pain of conditions like cavities prevents you from attending social events.
Pain caused by oral issues may even make you less likely to socialize. Research shows that those in chronic pain fatigue quickly and are more likely to struggle with conditions like hypermobility, anxiety, and dysautonomia. As a result, those who struggle with oral health may find that related illnesses get in the way of their ability to lead a fulfilling social life.
Leads to other illnesses
Good oral hygiene protects more than just your mouth. Oral conditions can lead to all kinds of negative health outcomes, and even a small cavity can be a big problem if left untreated.
Infection is likely to occur in areas where tooth decay progresses, leading to pus and abscesses. Your dentist can prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection, but you need to address the root cause to avoid more serious illnesses.
Fortunately, visiting a qualified dentist is easier than ever before. Many practices offer telehealth to replace lengthy in-person visits at the dentist's office. Teledentistry may require you to take a few snapshots of the inside of your mouth, but a clear camera image can save you plenty of time and money. Teledentistry is a great way to stay on top of your oral health between IRL visits to your dentist.
Impacts mental health
It’s hard to feel at your best when you’re in pain or experiencing the effects of an oral health condition. Poor oral health may even cause cognitive impairment. Some studies show a relationship between oral health and the early onset of dementia, as tooth loss significantly increases the risk of both dementia and cognitive deterioration.
It’s difficult to separate cause from effect when it comes to mental health and your mouth. However, people with poor mental health may be at higher risk of additional oral illnesses such as gum disease and tooth decay. In turn, this can create a spiral of events where the boundary between poor oral health and physical health is blurred.
Poor oral hygiene can also cause sleep apnea and insomnia. A lack of sleep has an immediate knock-on effect on your mental health, as you’ll have a harder time focusing and may find yourself running on a short fuse throughout the day.
Unfortunately, there are disparities in dental health care between populations. In particular, those who live in poverty are less likely to have access to sufficient dental care. This can exacerbate the link between socioeconomic status and mental health and cause a cycle of events that limit your ability to find fulfilling and well-paying work.
Affects success and social mobility
Good oral health is about more than flashing a healthy smile during a business meeting or interview. Good dental hygiene is commonly associated with high income and disposable wealth. This means that people around you may form unwarranted opinions based on the appearance of your teeth.
A 2021 British study on intragenerational social mobility and self-rated oral health found that those who reported having better oral health were more likely to experience upward social mobility during their lifetime. Conversely, downward mobility was associated with poor self-rated oral health. The findings of the longitudinal study suggest that oral health rises and falls depending on social mobility, including changes in education, employment, and income.
It’s hard to guarantee that brushing your teeth and visiting the dentist will lead to a successful life. However, getting routine check-ups can help you avoid time off work for illnesses and may be the wake-up call you need to reassess your health and current behaviors.
