The Impact of Oral Health on Self-Esteem

By Your Health Magazine

Your Health Magazine

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The Impact of Oral Health on Self-Esteem

According to a 2017 scientific study, even common dental problems like tooth loss can lead people to suffer from lower self-esteem and a diminished quality of life. Registered dental hygienist Corina Monroe from Nashville, TN, knows it doesn’t have to be this way, which is why she’s on a mission to help people understand good dental hygiene.

How poor oral health lowers self-esteem

As a dental hygienist, Monroe understands how important it is for people to be confident in their smile. “In my experience, people who are worried about their teeth often don’t want to smile,” she explains. “They specifically suppress themselves because they don’t want their teeth to show.”

According to Monroe, this self-suppression can deleteriously impact their state of mind. Studies show that the simple act of smiling can have a positive effect and boost a person’s mood. Indeed, a research team organized by Stanford professor Nicolas Coles has found that even just posing with a smile can have this beneficial outcome. “The stretch of a smile can make people feel happy and [a] furrowed brow can make people feel angry; thus, the conscious experience of emotion must be at least partially based on bodily sensations,” he says.

If someone is stifling their smiles to hide their teeth, they cannot take advantage of the natural endorphin boost and buoyed well-being that comes along with a big, confident smile, which translates into far less happiness over their lifetimes. “That seems tragic to me,” Monroe says. “Anyone who tries not to smile needs to know — you don’t have to settle for a smile you aren’t proud of.”

How dental care improves self-esteem

As Monroe explains, many minor dental issues can be resolved simply by making an appointment and having your teeth cleaned. “Especially if you’re in pain due to cavities or accumulations of tartar, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your dentist,” she says. “Even just a routine dental cleaning can take care of many issues.”

The good news is that, due to advances in dental technology and procedures, even severe dental problems can now be corrected. “Dentists and dental hygienists can do all kinds of different restorative procedures,” Monroe says. “These days, dental care can fix almost everything. Whatever you are worried about — whether it’s missing teeth or gum disease — the important thing is to get seen and start treatment. Sooner is better than later, but it’s never too late to start.”

Patients also often seek advice from Monroe on how to improve their dental hygiene. “People frequently ask how to whiten their teeth and get rid of bad breath,” she explains. “Questions about veneers and getting teeth straightened are also common.”

According to Monroe, teeth whitening is safe, but patients experience the best outcomes under a dentist’s care. “If you overdo it, your teeth will become sensitive,” she explains. “For many people, the strips they buy at the store are too powerful and result in tooth pain or burning gums.” That’s why she recommends going to a dentist and getting custom-made whitening trays instead.

Dental care contributes to overall health

The importance of dental hygiene extends far beyond self-esteem, however. According to Monroe, proper oral care contributes to overall health and well-being. 

“Your mouth might seem a long way from your heart, but studies have actually demonstrated an association between oral hygiene and heart disease,” Monroe says. “Heart attacks and cardiovascular disease are more prevalent for people with gum disease.” 

Monroe also says that patients with diabetes are more prone to gum disease and potential tooth loss. Meanwhile, studies have shown that dental care can improve glycemic control. Consequently, good dental hygiene is vital for the treatment and management of this condition.

Leveraging social media to promote dental wellness

In the end, patients’ happiness is Monroe’s most important priority. By helping them access quality dental care, resolve their dental problems, and establish appropriate home-care regimes, she enables them to smile confidently again. But her efforts to help patients extend even beyond the walls of her dental clinic.

To help spread the message about the benefits of dental hygiene, Monroe has also created a TikTok account with videos that explain how best to care for teeth and gums. To her surprise, these educational posts proved popular and went viral. 

“I wasn’t expecting that at all,” Monroe says. “I was just trying to explain dental hygiene to my friends and family.” Her TikTok, Corina_907, now has more than 2.4 million followers.

The far-reaching positive effects of good dental health

Due to Monroe’s expert guidance and TikTok posts, people can smile wider than ever. As a result, they can also experience the benefits that come with increased self-esteem and confidence. Moreover, the advantages ripple outward to touch everyone her patients and followers know.

“Smiling is contagious,” Monroe points out. “When you can smile freely, you help others do so, too.”