We’ve always heard that good health starts with the mouth. In fact, this is true, but it also involves other factors, mainly physical, emotional and psychological well-being. When something doesn’t go well emotionally, it can also affect the daily routine, relationships and end up affecting health in general, including oral health. “Our emotions depend on fluctuating levels of neurotransmitters, which cause the activation of different parts of the brain responsible for different moods, or activate parts of the brain that trigger stimulation of the autonomic nervous system. If this is not in balance, there is a decrease in salivary flow, taste alteration and oral symptoms and signs may be triggered”, says Dulce Helena Cabelho Passarelli, dentist, master and specialist in Stomatology and Oral Pathologist, author of the Atlas of Stomatology Clinical Cases. According to the specialist, much of the stress we experience on a daily basis can also reflect on oral health because many oral diseases are a reflection of an emotional state in imbalance.
Without realizing it, the patient starts to suffer from bruxism, which leads to dental wear, increasing the probability of leading to tooth loss. Not to mention that bad eating habits and lack of proper hygiene also increase the incidence of cavities.
You need to keep an eye out for some signs of the body:
Anxiety: It is common to get anxious when there is a big change in routine or life. But when it is excessive, it can cause you to neglect oral hygiene, brushing your teeth too quickly, which can cause gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), cavities and even gum recession.
Stress: in excess causes a decrease in saliva and reduces resistance to bacteria. It also causes the patient to force clenching and grinding of teeth. In addition, this tension can lead to a temporomandibular disorder. This condition causes headache and difficulty opening and closing the mouth.
According to the professor, both the organic system and the professional are responsible for diagnosing oral diseases of emotional origin. But it’s no use treating one and leaving the other untreated. “The precise diagnosis of oral diseases directs different forms of treatment and in some cases there is a need to complement the different types of treatment, including psychotherapy, however this can only be indicated by the specialized professional”, she advises.
eating disorders
Of the emotional problems common among Brazilians, eating disorders stand out, such as binge eating and bulimia itself, when in both cases, the patient consumes a large amount of foods rich in carbohydrates, especially sugar, and does not make a good hygiene after meals. In bulimia there is the aggravation that after consumption, the patient feels guilty and causes vomiting as a way to purge what he consumed. Both cases can lead to oral problems. “Both bulimia and binge eating can develop oral diseases. Bulimia in particular can cause recurrent and recurrent vomiting that alters the pH of the saliva, causing tooth wear known as erosions“, she explains. “The food compulsion causes the patient to increase the formation of biofilm or bacterial plaque and consequently the caries is installed very easily”, she considers.
According to Dulce Helena Cabelho, the dentist is the most qualified professional to diagnose oral diseases and treat them. “However, emotional background changes should be treated by psychotherapists and psychiatrists, due to the complexity of the treatment”, she says.
According to experts, prevention is always the best medicine. Therefore, constant visits to the dental office, daily and correct brushing of teeth, flossing after each meal are part of a good oral routine. “In addition, make use of a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables and with a small amount of sucrose (sugar), constant hydration. Avoid alcohol and smoking,” she advises. “And in times of a pandemic, keeping emotional health in balance prevents oral complications”, she completes.
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ABIMO – Brazilian Medical Devices Industry Association is the representative entity of the Brazilian healthcare products industry that promotes the sustainable growth of the sector in the national and international market. Sectors of activity: Medical-Hospital, Dentistry, Laboratory, Biotechnology, Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology.
ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN SMILING CHANGES EVERYTHING
SMILE CHANGES EVERYTHING – It is a campaign that reinforces the importance of frequent visits to dentists and shows that oral health is related to the general health of the body, as part of a culture of prevention. After all, oral health can be linked to diseases that affect the entire body.
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