When we find ourselves experiencing a downward spiral of depression and anxiety, the decline of our mental health takes its toll on various mechanisms throughout our bodies. Whether it's avoiding a shower for weeks on end or refusing to get out of bed and tackle the day's challenges, how we feel and how we act have a synergistic relationship that predicts our well-being.

One health marker that we often overlook or ignore while dealing with mounting stress and negative thoughts is the integrity of our teeth. As we're focusing on the moment at hand, maintaining a productive oral-hygiene routine and performing dental care gets placed on the back burner. If you or someone you love is currently struggling to improve their sense of self-worth, here are ways their mental state can negatively impact their oral integrity.

Common Dental Issues That Arise Due to Poor Mental Health
First and foremost, we must realize that our mental state plays a significant role in how we approach our tasks for the day. To put it simply, if we're struggling to maintain a productive and healthy inner voice, doing mundane tasks seem monumental and overwhelming.

When this occurs, brushing our teeth, flossing, and using bacteria-eliminating mouthwash gets traded in for binging on movies, sleeping and eating junk food. In conjunction with this, stress, anxiety, and poor mental health play a vital role in cortisol production. Without going into the intricate details of this stress hormone, our body utilizes cortisol to react efficiently in moments of panic, anger, and fight-or-flight situations.

However, too much cortisol for a prolonged period can lead to a weakened immune response, thin skin, impaired healing, weight gain, sluggishness, and, you guessed it, poor oral health. Actions like grinding your teeth, clenching your jaw, and skipping a brushing session are things to consider while moving forward.

If you're struggling to get yourself into the bathroom to perform dental care on yourself, here are some tips that will get the ball moving:

• Reward yourself for brushing your teeth by watching your favourite television show, listening to music, or taking a quick nap. Incentives are a great way to trick your brain into performing tasks you would otherwise skip.
• Realize that small tasks, such as flossing and brushing, will give you a small boost to your self-esteem. Over time, this can help you reduce anxiety, improve your mental health, and get you back on track.
• Know when to seek help: if you're dealing with nagging pain, sensitivity, or chipping, consider making an appointment with us at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa.
• Announce your newfound habits to friends and family. Studies show that sharing our goals and ambitions with others increases the likelihood that we'll follow through and rise to the occasion.

Reducing Stress and Worry
Now that we can see the link between our oral health and our mental well-being, it's essential to strategize ways to minimize stress and anxiety. When you're in the depths of a depressive episode or stressful situation, it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel; every day seems like an uphill battle with no assistance from those around you.

If you're currently in this position, that's okay! Once you're ready to improve your mental health and heal your smile for good, here's how to get things started on the right foot:

• If your mental health is getting in the way of your oral care, discuss this with your dentist to be advised on easy-to-implement techniques to take care of your oral health.
• Dedicate time out of each day to relax and reflect on your waking hours. By understanding your emotions and making a mental note of past events, you can practice self-love and wellness.
• Once your mental health improves, make an effort to maintain contact with your Ottawa dentist. Half the battle with oral health is catching ailments before they spiral out of hand.

Take small steps to implement good dental habits into your daily routine. Visit us at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa for dental care. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and be on the journey towards a healthier smile.