This is a collaborative post.
Self-care is an umbrella term; it covers many different things, from taking a walk to unplugging from social media. It is simply about trying to be the healthiest version of yourself both mentally and physically. Creating and committing to good habits is what self-care is all about. But how does dentistry fit in? Read on to find out.
The Benefits of Self-Care
Self-Care has a myriad of benefits. It helps to boost your immune system by triggering your parasympathetic nervous system. It puts your body into a restful and restorative mode, and so when practised often enough, it helps build the body’s defences against infection and viruses. It is also proven to help you be kinder to yourself and improve your self-compassion. When you start to take care of yourself, it prompts a realisation of the type of treatment you deserve.
Most people think that taking the time out to care for yourself means that you have less time for others, but this isn’t the case. Self-care reduces the feelings of stress and frustration, meaning that you are better able to care for others because your needs are met. Prioritising self-care can also help to manage any mental health issues you may have and prevent them from worsening.
Neglecting Oral Hygiene
More than a third of the British population have a fear of going to the dentist. Many people put off going as a result which means they often have more severe dental issues as a result. In addition, poor dental hygiene can lead to a number of other health issues, such as heart disease or a stroke resulting from bacteria and plaque entering the bloodstream. Respiratory ailments can also be worsened by bacteria from periodontal diseases, and a link has been discovered between gum disease and an increased risk of pneumonia and acute bronchitis.
Dentistry as Self-Care
From this, it should be obvious the importance that dentistry holds. In terms of self-care, dentistry plays a huge role in ensuring that you are at your healthiest. The mouth is deeply important for many facets of life, including eating, drinking, and speaking, to name but a few, so it is vital that it is looked after. For most people, someone’s smile serves as a first impression, but it also has a huge impact on a person’s self-esteem.
More people are -rightfully- beginning to view dentistry as self-care, and so the choice of dentist becomes all the more important. Often people who are afraid of the dentist can attribute their fear to a specific dentist or incident. Choosing a dentist is a personal choice, and it depends on a number of factors, such as budget or opening hours. Looking online for recommendations or reviews can be helpful; for example, Argo Dental, these dentists in Shrewsbury place importance on patient feedback and display this feedback on their website, allowing their clients to speak for them.
In Conclusion
Dental care is self-care, most people only require an appointment every six months, so it is not a big commitment unless you want cosmetic dentistry. A half an hour appointment every six months is not very much, but it is time that you can take to practice self-care. Putting in the time to look after your teeth means making an investment into your future.
