The Overlooked Connection Between Mental Health and Oral Health
Medically reviewed by Dr Zaeem Jafri
“Oral health is health.”
It’s a simple statement, but one that’s often overlooked. We tend to separate teeth and gums from the rest of the body — treating dentistry as something isolated from our general wellbeing. But research (and everyday clinical experience) shows that mental health and oral health are deeply connected — each affecting the other in powerful and sometimes unexpected ways.
How poor oral health can impact mental wellbeing
Dental problems don’t only cause physical pain — they can have a significant emotional and psychological impact too.
New figures suggest that 23 million working days are lost each year due to dental pain (Denplan). For many people, this doesn’t just mean discomfort — it means financial pressure, missed responsibilities, anxiety about employment security, and the stress of navigating treatment delays or waiting lists.
For patients who are self-employed or paid by the hour, the stakes feel even higher. The stress of being unable to work because of toothache or infection often compounds the distress caused by the pain itself. Over time, this combination of pain, uncertainty and financial worry can seriously affect mood, confidence and mental wellbeing.
Access and waiting times also play a role. When treatment for non-urgent dental conditions is delayed, people can spend months living with ongoing discomfort, worry, and embarrassment about their teeth. In contrast, timely treatment and clear advice — whether through NHS or private care — can relieve not just symptoms, but also much of the psychological burden that builds around them.
In clinical practice, many dentists see this shift first-hand: when pain is resolved, function is restored, and patients feel back in control of their oral health, the emotional relief is often visible.
Confidence, self-image and the emotional impact of missing or damaged teeth
For some patients, dental issues affect far more than comfort — they can affect identity.
People with missing, broken or severely worn teeth often describe feeling self-conscious about smiling, laughing or speaking openly. Many say they smile less to hide their teeth, or develop habits like covering their mouth in photos or avoiding social situations altogether.
Dentists hear this regularly in the clinic: patients talk about feeling older than they are, less confident at work, or reluctant to meet new people because of how their teeth look. Over time, this can erode self-esteem and contribute to feelings of sadness, embarrassment or isolation.
There’s also a physiological element to this. Smiling plays a role in emotional regulation — it stimulates the release of serotonin and endorphins, the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals. When people consciously avoid smiling because of their teeth, they’re not just hiding their expression — they may also be missing out on positive emotional feedback mechanisms, making it harder to experience everyday moments of joy and ease.
So oral health doesn’t just influence how others see us — it influences how we feel about ourselves, and even how our brain processes emotion.
When mental health affects oral health
The relationship also flows in the opposite direction. According to Bupa, people with mental health problems are around 2.7 times more likely to experience dental problems.
There are several reasons for this:
Low motivation or energy can make regular brushing and flossing difficult during periods of depression or anxiety.
Changes in diet — such as increased sugar intake or frequent snacking — may increase decay risk.
Bruxism (tooth grinding) is common in people experiencing stress or trauma, leading to tooth wear, fractures or jaw pain.
Medication side-effects, particularly dry mouth, can increase the risk of decay and gum disease.
Some people avoid dental appointments due to anxiety, fear or past negative experiences, which allows problems to progress unnoticed.
In other words, when mental health suffers, oral health often follows — creating a cycle that can be difficult to break without compassionate support.
Why treating oral health holistically matters
Because the relationship between oral health and mental health is two-way, care needs to be two-way too.
That means dentistry that:
recognises the emotional impact of dental problems
supports anxious or vulnerable patients without judgement
treats pain and infection promptly where possible
offers clear explanations so people feel informed and in control
works alongside broader wellbeing, not separate from it
Patients regularly describe how being heard, reassured and guided can be just as meaningful as the treatment itself.
Good dentistry isn’t just about fixing teeth — it’s about restoring comfort, confidence and quality of life.
A gentle reminder
If you’re struggling with dental problems and they’re affecting how you feel — emotionally as well as physically — you’re not alone, and it’s not “trivial”. Tooth pain, visible damage, or embarrassment about smiling can all have real psychological effects.
Equally, if your mental health has made it harder to look after your teeth or attend appointments, that doesn’t make you careless — it makes you human. The most important step is simply reaching out for support when you’re ready.
Your mouth isn’t separate from your wellbeing — it’s part of it. And caring for one can meaningfully support the other.
