Yellow September is the month dedicated to suicide prevention. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), suicide is a global public health issue, with over 700,000 recorded deaths annually. Among young people aged 15 to 29, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death. According to the campaign's website, it is known that 100% of suicide cases are linked to mental illnesses.
For dentist Marlei Bonella, mental health is directly linked to oral health. "Mental disorders can weaken emotional state, leading to a lack of self-care. This ultimately harms oral health and creates a negative cycle: low self-esteem results in neglecting oneself and consequently oral hygiene, which in turn further affects self-esteem," she explains.
Some patients, due to anxiety and stress, resort to high-calorie diets as a form of emotional compensation, which increases the risk of cavities. "Others may develop dysphagia, a difficulty in swallowing, which can result in nutritional deficiencies and injuries to the oral mucosa. A decrease in saliva flow is also a common consequence, harming the protection of teeth and gums," and the emergence of cavities, explains the dentist.
For Marlei, a smile generates connections and increases people's self-esteem and well-being. "Who doesn't want good laughs? Studies show that the act of smiling releases endorphins and serotonin, which help reduce stress and increase the feeling of well-being," Marlei explains. A study published by the American Psychological Association (APA) indicated that people who smile frequently tend to cope better with stressful situations and have a faster cardiovascular recovery.
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