The benefits of good health have never been in doubt, and its importance can not be overemphasised. However, maintaining good health may not always be an easy task. This is because you have to ensure that each part of your body is well cared for, as anything less may see some parts lose their functionality. Indeed, an issue that affects a part of the human body often spreads to the other parts.
One part of the body that often gets a lot less attention than it deserves is the oral system, which should not be so, considering its significance. But sadly, this is often the case because most people do not understand the implications of poor oral health.
It is often a nightmare when specific body parts develop faults that limit functionality, and the oral system is no exception. It can even get worse because a fault in the oral system can often affect several other parts of the body, and it usually does not end at physical detriments alone. It does have a way of influencing other aspects of the patient’s life.
According to Dr. Ronkin at the Dream Smile Dental, oral infections can affect your personality as much as they affect your health. Indeed, a dental disorder can easily affect your social presence by dealing a significant blow to your self-esteem. This article will explain more about how poor oral health can influence your self-esteem while highlighting other impacts. Please ensure to read to the end.
Dental disorder and its implications
A dental disorder refers to any problem involving your teeth, gums, jaw, or surrounding tissues. These components make up the oral system, and it is often a concern when any is affected by disease or infections. However, dental disorders are relatively common because many people do not understand the essence of caring for the oral system. No doubt, poor oral hygiene is the leading cause of several dental disorders. Here, let’s look at some common examples of dental disorders.
- Stained teeth. Stained teeth are a common dental disorder experienced by a large population. It is a condition that involves a deviation from your standard white teeth color. It can be caused by several external factors like food, tobacco, trauma, infections, etc.
- Cavities. Cavity refers to a condition characterized by holes in the teeth, and it can be excruciating. It is mainly caused by plaques that gather up to destroy the firmer surface of your teeth. Several oral diseases can speed up the process and make these cavities occur quicker.
- Chipped/broken tooth. This is another widespread dental disorder, and it is often caused by accidents. The condition involves losing a part of your tooth, and it can often trigger other more severe dental problems.
- Missing teeth. Losing one or several teeth is not a problem for teens transitioning to adults. However, it is often a big deal when adults lose their teeth. You can lose your teeth due to an accident or a severe hit to your mouth area. However, it is often more of an issue when your tooth falls off for no reason. This can be a sign of a severe tooth infection, and it is often accompanied by sharp pain and bleeding gums.
- Crooked/uneven teeth. While many people may not see this condition as a problem, it is a dental disorder. It is a condition that is characterised by abnormal teeth shapes and sizes. Most people with this condition inherit it from birth.
Dental disorder and self-esteem
Dental disorders can often have adverse effects on both a person’s general health and personality, highlighting the need to prevent these disorders. People with one dental disorder or the other often lose a significant degree of self-esteem and confidence. This is because these disorders are often apparent and sometimes attract stigma from others.
Therefore, people with these conditions tend to stay away from public gatherings to avoid unpleasant comments. This can often decrease their confidence, making them feel inferior to others with sound oral health. Also, dental disorders can affect a person’s appearance, speech pattern, and other areas resulting in low self-esteem.
Takeaway
Dental disorders can be very disadvantageous, especially considering the adverse effects they can have on your personality. The connection between your oral health and social status may not be direct, but there is enough evidence to conclude that dental disorders can cause a decrease in your self-esteem and worth, especially as highlighted in this article. Hence you must ensure to maintain good oral hygiene to avoid all these conditions. The tips discussed above will also help you.
Adam Mulligan did his degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. He is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
