Mind & Mouth Connection
Over the last several years, talk of mental health awareness has taken a rise. It’s not uncommon to have the person next to you in class be diagnosed with anxiety and/or depression. In fact, the number of teens who have anxiety and/or depression are climbing.
According to the Compass Health Center (2025), CDC (2023), and World Health Organization (2025):
In the United States:
- 31.9% of teens or 1 out of 3 teens are estimated to have an anxiety disorder.
- Approximately 20% of teens will experience a depressive episode by the age of 17.
- 40% of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
In the world:
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- For 10-19-year olds, 1 out of every 7 are documented to experience a mental health disorder.
- This accounts for 15% of the global burden of disease in teens.
- Depression, anxiety, and behavioural disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disabilities among adolescents.
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Mind ↔ Mouth Link
When you’re stressed, anxious, or going through a tough time, your body feels it and so does your mouth.
Constant or excessive stress can lead to jaw tension, teeth grinding, or even mouth sores.
Anxiety and depression can make it harder to keep up with daily habits like brushing, flossing, or eating balanced meals.
Over time, those small changes can add up, affecting both your oral health and your confidence.
There are steps you can take to help reduce these feelings and build healthier habits.
When you take time to care for your mind by
Resting
Journaling
Practicing mindfulness
Or talking to someone you trust
your body responds in positive ways. A calm, focused mind can lead to healthier choices, less tension, and a healthier smile.
Taking care of your mouth is more than just keeping it clean; it’s an act of self-care that supports your mental well-being.
When your teeth or gums hurt, it can
Make it harder to focus
Make you not want to hang out with friends
Or make you feel less confident about your smile.
Ongoing pain or bad breath can lead to stress, embarrassment, or even anxiety, which can lower your self-esteem over time and change how you interact with yourself and the people around you.
There are steps you can take to help improve your oral health and build healthier mental habits.
Establishing habits like brushing and flossing daily and drinking more water will improve your oral health and can make a difference in how you think and feel every day.
A healthy smile can boost your mood, make you feel more confident, and help you connect comfortably with others.
Diet's Impact on the Mind & Mouth
What you eat can have a big impact on how you feel.
Your brain and gut are closely connected, so when you fuel your body with healthy foods, you’re also supporting your mind.
Eating a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins helps your brain produce important chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which boost mood and focus.
On the other hand, diets high in sugar can lead to energy crashes, fatigue, and irritability.
Nutrients such as omega-3s, B vitamins, zinc, and magnesium help your brain manage stress.
By eating balanced meals and keeping your plate colorful, you take care of your body, which ultimately helps take care of your mind.
What you eat and drink affects the health of your mouth in many ways.
Diets high in sugar and starch feed the bacteria in your mouth, which produce acids that can wear away your tooth enamel and cause cavities.
Acidic beverages like soda, citrus drinks, and energy drinks can also wear down enamel, leading to sensitivity and decay.
While diets rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and dairy products helps keep your teeth and gums strong.
Foods high in calcium and phosphorus such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, help strengthen enamel.
While crunchy foods like apples and carrots stimulate saliva, which naturally cleans your mouth and neutralizes acids.
Drinking plenty of water also helps wash away food particles and bacteria.
A balanced diet not only keeps your body healthy but also protects your smile.
The Path Forward
There are various ways to cope with mental disorders, and coping is different for everyone. Some steps you can take to help improve your mental health can include:
Talking With A Professional
Meet and speak with a licensed therapist or your school counselor or nurse. They can listen and provide you with the tools you can use to improve your health.
Getting Involved in A Community
Get involved doing something you enjoy by volunteering, joining or starting a club at school, or finding a religious or community group that shares your values.
Educating Yourself About Mental Health
Read books written by approved mental health advisors (such as psychiatrists, therapists, etc.) Or find more trusted online resources like Mind & Mouth Matters.
There is no shame in asking for help. Some people share their struggles and triumphs with mental health, which you may see on social media, while others may not publicly share them at all. Mental health is not something that is always seen.
You are not alone.
There are people in your life willing to listen and help.
You are loved.
Mind and Mouth Matters has been developed as part of a Maryland Coalition for Allied Dental Education (MCADE) student engagement project by dental hygiene students from the Community College of Baltimore County.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is always available.
Call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
hours
Tuesday - Friday: 10am to 4pm
Address
31 S. Greene St. Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone
410-706-0600
The Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry is an auxiliary enterprise of the University of Maryland, School of Dentistry at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
