May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May 21st, 2026
What does Orthodontics have to do with your mental health?
A LOT!
Having orthodontic treatment is more than just straightening your teeth to help with your overall oral health, or helping correct any problems with your bite. The smile you leave our office with at the end of treatment will have you walking a little taller and socializing more. Smiling is linked to dopamine and serotonin, which help lift you mood, and smiling has also been known to lower stress levels!
But what happens when you don't like your smile- you hate how your teeth overlap or you have a big gap that you just *know* people stare at while you're talking? When you're self conscious about something that is so front and center, lots of things can happen. You end up participating in conversations less and less, and you may seek out situations and jobs where you have limited or no contact with the public (like a work from home possibility). Not liking your smile and how you see yourself can also lead to lowered confidence in other aspects of your life. This can really start to impact your overall mental health and potentially lead to depression.
If you're noticing your smile is impacting your daily life because you feel self conscious about your teeth, give our office a call to schedule a complimentary consult with Dr. Kennell. He, along with our amazing team, can help you start your journey to a more healthy, confident you!
If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health dial 988 or text "HOME" to 741741 for 24/7 support.