How Emotions Can Affect Your Oral Health

Dec 2, 2020

The unexpected connection between emotional health and the health of teeth and gums

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - December 2, 2020 - (Newswire.com)

A leader in holistic dentistry, Miami dentist Dr. Hank Barreto sees firsthand how deeply connected mental health and physical health are. He believes that being aware of this connection is important for everyone, especially during a time when many people are struggling with mental wellness.

According to his team, science continues to study how emotional health impacts other parts of the body, including those that were previously thought unrelated, such as the teeth and gums. While emotional wellbeing might not seem to have a direct correlation with oral health, Dr. Barreto believes stress and anxiety can aggravate conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, gastrointestinal disease, and asthma. As a provider of preventive dentistry in Miami, FL, Dr. Barreto thinks it is important to extend this understanding to oral health conditions as well.

Dr. Barreto and his team believe there are many ways that mental wellbeing can negatively affect oral health, including:

1. Unhygienic behaviors - There is a strong correlation between periodontal disease and mental health conditions like anxiety, stress, and depression. This correlation is thought to be due in part to certain behaviors brought on by these conditions, such as failing to brush and/or floss on a regular schedule.

2. Bruxism - Bruxism, a condition where people unconsciously clench, grind, gnash, or grit their teeth, can be caused by emotional turmoil. And over time, it can get so bad that it causes severe damage to both teeth and the structure of the jaw.

3. Gum disease - It's not just poor oral care habits that can lead to gum disease. Stress and other mental health conditions can also weaken the immune system, in turn allowing bacteria to fester which can lead to periodontal illness.

4. Canker sores - Anxiety is thought to make people more prone to canker sores, an irritating oral health condition that can be due to poor hygiene habits and/or anxiety medications.

As a holistic dentist in Coral Gables, Dr. Barreto seeks to help patients keep both body and mind healthy. Readers interested in this sort of Miami dental care are invited to call (305) 648-4998 to learn more and schedule an appointment.

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Original Source: How Emotions Can Affect Your Oral Health

Hamilton sets sights on racing in African grand prix

AUSTIN, United States — Lewis Hamilton on Thursday welcomed Formula One’s decision to return to Africa, but revealed reservations over the choice of Rwanda to host the continent’s first Grand Prix in more than three decades. The seven-time world champion also said he wanted to stay in F1 racing into his forties to make sure he can fulfil his dream of racing in an African Grand Prix. Speaking to reporters ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix, the Ferrari driver said he was aware of concerns regarding Rwanda and said they should not be overlooked. "Of course, I don’t get to choose where we go and, naturally, there’s problems all over the world today,” he said. “I’ve seen many of the stories, but I think we really have to approach it with humility.” Formula One announced a 10-year agreement to race in Rwanda last week with the race set to join the calendar after a circuit has been built in the early 2030s. The last time an F1 race was held in Africa was the 33rd South African Grand Prix near Johannesburg in 1993 when Hamilton was just eight years old. "There’s a lot that we don’t know,” added Hamilton who has called for a return to Africa for many years. “Growing up in England, they never taught us anything about Africa. It needs to be on the curriculum… "A lot of the problems they have there are still the results of colonialism and the west intervening, but if you see the people, you see so many designs that are out there today. Top brands come from Africa, and it’s got all the richest resources. "I really hope, and I still have hopes, that Africa unites. I know there’s many people that don’t want that to happen -- because they would be so powerful if they did, but I’m still hopeful that at some stage they will. "And, of course, going doesn’t mean that you neglect the things that are happening there. "So hopefully many people start to educate themselves a little more about what is happening, what has happened for hundreds of years and I hope that does spark the conversation.” Hamilton, who warmly praised runaway championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes as he sat alongside him at a news conference, revealed also that he hopes to continue racing into his mid-forties. "I’m looking forward to racing with him longer. I mean, I’m now forced to have to stay a lot longer because we have a race in Africa -- and that’s been my dream, to be able to race in Africa.” "So, you’ve got time,” said the 20-year-old Italian. “You’ve got to do at least the first one.” "Yeah,” replied Hamilton. “I have to keep fighting to try and stay fit if I can. If I can still punch out good results over the next year, we’ll keep it going.”