Our dental clinic is open and you can read our COVID-safe procedures here.
We have unfortunately had to temporarily stop our beauty treatments in line with Government regulations. All existing appointments will be rescheduled.
Our dental clinic is open and you can read our COVID-safe procedures here.
We have unfortunately had to temporarily stop our beauty treatments in line with Government regulations. All existing appointments will be rescheduled.
In recent years, Gen Z and Millennials have become more proactive about mental health than any previous generation. From self-care routines to therapy apps, they have started to prioritise emotional well-being and discuss topics like anxiety and depression more openly. This shift has been more noticeable since the Covid-19 pandemic, which sparked many conversations and started to destigmatise issues surrounding mental health.
However, while younger generations are increasingly realising the importance of mental health, many still overlook a main aspect of their overall well-being: dental health. A surprising number of people don’t realise that poor oral health can negatively impact your overall quality of life and your mental health. The connection between the mouth and mind is stronger than most people think, neglecting one can have serious consequences for the other.
Mental Health Awareness Rising Since Covid-19
The Covid-19 pandemic was a turning point for mental health awareness. This global crisis called for a long overdue conversation about mental well-being, allowing therapy, self-care and mindfulness to all become a part of mainstream discussion and online content.
Social media played a huge role in this shift, with TikTok and Instagram becoming platforms for creators to share mental health stories, resources and coping strategies. Influencers and mental health professionals used these spaces to educate their audiences, helping to reduce stigma and encourage people to be proactive when it comes to looking after their minds. This resulted in Gen Z and Millennials becoming more knowledgeable and open about mental health than any previous generation.
This newfound awareness has led to positive changes in many people's lives. However, while mental health discussions have been increasing, another crucial aspect of overall well-being is being forgotten: dental health. Oral health can directly impact your mental state, creating a cycle where failing to look after one will worsen the other. Understanding this connection is essential for a healthy body and mind.
Why Dental Health is Overlooked
Dental health remains a low priority for many Gen Zs and Millennials. Unlike mental health, which is widely discussed on social media, oral health is often reduced all the way down to the basics of brushing, flossing and the odd visit to the dentist. A minimal approach like this overlooks the huge impact that dental health has on everyone’s everyday life.
Many people believe that there is no need to see a dentist unless you are experiencing pain or a visible issue and this could not be further from the truth. This mindset of treating dental care as a quick fix rather than a preventative measure can lead to long-term problems that could easily be avoided with regular examinations, focused oral hygiene care and better home habits.
The misconception that dental care is now largely cosmetic is another main reason for the problems surrounding a young person’s dental health. Straight, white teeth are associated with beauty and status rather than being seen as clean and easier to maintain. This leads to a focus on aesthetics and not oral hygiene. Respectively, many younger individuals would like to invest in whitening treatments or aligners while neglecting routine care that would prevent issues like gum disease or cavities, all which affect much more than just their smile.
The reality is that oral health is not just about appearance. Left unchecked, poor care can lead to infections, chronic pain and even systemic health problems that affect the whole body. More importantly, it can take a toll on mental well-being, constantly being self-conscious and experiencing physical discomfort from dental issues can add to stress, anxiety and low self-esteem. Being actively aware of this connection, people can start taking the right steps towards making the mouth an equal priority to the mind.
Mind and Mouth Connection: How Oral Health affects Mental Well Being
While viewing dental health and mental health as separate things is easily done, research suggests that they are deeply intertwined. The huge effect dental health can have on stress, anxiety and social confidence for so many individuals is just as much of a problem as physical health problems, and the effects of this can be long-lasting.
One of the most direct ways dental health impacts mental well-being is through self-confidence. According to a study by the Oral Health Foundation, nearly 60% of people with poor oral health report feeling embarrassed about their teeth, leading to social anxiety and even as far as avoiding personal or professional interactions. For generations that value self-expression, confidence and selfies, like Gen Z and Millennials, this can have a significant impact on quality of life.
Beyond self-esteem, issues such as gum disease and untreated tooth decay can cause constant pain and discomfort, again, contributing to everyday stress and anxieties. Studies have shown that individuals with ongoing problems like these are more likely to experience symptoms of depression, likely being due to the physical discomfort and psychological stress of dealing with unresolved health problems.
What’s more, there is growing evidence that inflammation from gum disease may be linked to mental health conditions. Researchers have found gum disease is related to higher levels of inflammation in the body, which in turn is linked to increased risk of depression. Inflammation affects brain chemistry and disrupts the part of your brain responsible for mood changes and regulation, showing that our mind and mouth are connected through more ways than just cosmetic concerns.
Prioritising physical health can support being emotionally strong, self-esteem and overall mental state and understanding the link between mouth and mind is the first step towards doing it.
A Well-Rounded Approach to Well-Being
To start prioritising your oral health today, here are 5 tips to break the cycle between dental and mental health:
Breaking the cycle is within reach and simple steps like these can make a huge difference. Oral health should be treated as an essential part of self-care, just like exercise or mindfulness if the goal is to achieve best general and mental well-being possible.
For routine check-ups and dental hygiene appointments that look after your dental health.
Transform your smile with Invisalign, teeth whitening and composite bonding.
Great service.
Clean dental clinic. Maria dental hygienist was professional and caring. Highly recommend!
The clinic has such a nice atmosphere. I highly recommend smile hub and Dr Hena.
Would recommend this dental practice to anyone
I was made to feel completely at ease throughout the whole process and I’m thrilled with the results.
Great experience! I’ve been a few times, and the staff are all very friendly and efficient.
Very highly recommended! Definitely going back!
Great attention to detail.
Very happy with the service and treatment provided.
Excellent team; lovely new premises.
Excellent service. Highly recommend Kush and his staff.
Fantastic service, efficient, friendly, and amazing results. Highly recommended!
Friendly, helpful, considerate and honest. Would happily recommend Smile Hub.
Excellent new premises and, as ever, impeccably professional friendly treatment.
Very efficient and thorough with good guidance to ensure teeth remain sparkling.
Superb facility, professional staff and fantastic service. I highly recommend Smile Hub at Spitalfields.
As always, Dr Mehta and all his staff are outstanding, could not recommend more.
5* service from Cath and the team - as always. I couldn't recommend highly enough.
Clean and welcoming place, nice and skilled staff. I had a cleaning and I recommend it.
Really excellent dentist. Very caring & put me at ease. Highly recommended.
Who knew that visiting the dentist could actually be a pleasant experience? Thank you!
A fantastic service from Smile Hub Spitalfields. Catherine and the team are great. I highly recommend.
Awesome service! They will be my go to dentists in future.
Maria Balas was incredibly friendly and helpful. Would recommend her to anyone looking for a thorough hygiene.
Very helpful and professional - repaired my chipped tooth on short notice and I’m very pleased with the work. Great experience!
I have been a patient of the clinic for five years and found them always competent, informative and pleasant.
Very professional clinic, friendly bunch. Unbeatable price and amazing finish.
Great service, lovely people, very thorough, value for money. Thanks to Cath and the team.
Very friendly and professional. Always get great service and feel very comfortable. Very nice facilities.
Fantastic as always. Really efficient. Felt completely safe. Thorough and professional. Lovely new consulting rooms.
Highly recommended and have been a customer for years.
Excellent, caring and friendly service. I am sure to return!
Friendly and professional service from all staff at Smile Hub. I had new Vivera retainers made and I am very happy with them!
The service and care offered by the clinic was amazing
Kush was super helpful, patient and informative. Happy with the end result.
High quality dentists and hygienists in a beautiful office
Very professional and excellent customer service.
Everyone is friendly and knowledgeable and 100% puts me at ease.
Excellent service and very friendly and competent.
I can't speak highly enough of Catherine Freestone. She has been my dentist for a year and is amazing and a lovely person. Highly recommend Smile Hub.
I highly recommend visiting this clinic if you want great, competent service by friendly experts!
Excellent service and highly recommend Cath and Smile Hub.
The whole team is friendly and professional and they have the comfiest dental chair I've ever sat in!
My most trusted place for any dental issues. Kush is excellent at what he does and the staff is friendly and makes you comfortable.
Cath Freestone has been my dentist for just over three years. She has been fantastic and I recommend smilehub highly.
Appreciate the service and quality, very good doctor. Definitely recommend.
I would definitely recommend people to contact Dr Freestone at Smile Hub.
Outstanding customer service and the way they treat their customers is like no other dentist I've ever come across.
I had a great experience with Dr Cath Freestone at Smile Hub! She provided excellent advice and care and the surgery is very professional and modern.
Took my 3 year old to see the dentist here last week. Wonderful service.
Excellent service from Smilehub, the whole team is very professional and attentive.
Dr Kush dealt with my situation with great professionalism and made the whole experience go smoothly.
I received an excellent service right the way through and the staff were very helpful and knowledgable.
Great and professional service! Lovely office as well.
Really great dental practice, came here for a hygienist appointment and everything was perfect
I can not recommend there professionalism, compassion, without judgment enough.
I would highly recommend him for anyone looking for an honest and approachable dentist.
I really felt calm and well looked after. Well worth the visit and seamless experience.
I would absolutely recommend if you are looking for an honest dentist that knows what they are doing!
Their receptionist is very professional and helpful, and their facilities are kept very clean.
I would give this 6 stars if I could. Great service from Emma who was extremely attentive and thorough. Highly recommend.
Kush is amazing and makes you feel so at ease; so friendly and professional.
The results were amazing. Highly recommended.
They explain everything that is happening in a clear, concise manner.
I would always highly recommend them!
Great service, easily the best dental surgery I've ever been to.
Catherine's guidance is incredibly comforting and I would absolutely recommend
A wonderful dentist for small children.
Friendly and professional service from start to finish.
Dr Kush was efficient and professional, explaining what he was doing and made me feel comfortable and putting my mind at ease.
Have just finished my Invisalign treatment with Cath and I couldn’t be more pleased with my teeth.
Everyone is very kind and attentive and the care and advice I received from Dr Catherine Freestone were absolutely brilliant.
Staff were very attentive and made sure my whole experience from start to finish was as pleasant as possible.
Smile Hub has stood out as being consistently organised, kind and accommodating, and their work have always been impeccable.
Excellent practice. Efficient, clean and always accommodating on availability.
Fantastic Service with my Dental Hygienist Emma. Good Banter and a great clean.
Dr. Hena was wonderful ! She made me feel calm and explained the whole process calmly to me
The facilities are modern and clean.
Fantastic service, best equipment and new techniques always being introduced.
Dr K is brilliant, made me feel super secure and relaxed, 100% booking all future visits here!
Really fantastic place, would recommend.
Throughout I was confident I was in good hands
Hena and the team have been amazing as I worked through various dental issues with them.
Came in with a toothache and the team there were very thorough and professional.
Professional and caring. Thank you Kath & her team for your great service. Dr Hannah is a jewel of the dental practice.
Comfortable atmosphere despite my initial stress regarding the treatment - would recommend!
I will continue to go to Smile Hub for my regular dentist appointments as they have won me over with their efficient and friendly service.
Dr. Hena went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable during the procedure
Happy to recommend Hena and Smile Hub to anyone else considering Invisalign treatment.
could not be happier about the results or the service!
Would certainly recommend this practice to anyone!
I highly recommend this dentist to anyone. Their reception team is also very accommodating!
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8a Brushfield Street
London
E1 6AN
Monday
8:30am - 7:00pm
Tuesday
7:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday
8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday
8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday
7:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday
8:30am - 5:30pm
Sunday
Closed
Linklaters Wellness Centre
2nd Floor Milton House
One Silk Street
London
EC2Y 8HQ
Tuesday - Thursday
9am - 5pm
Monday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Closed
Copyright © 2023 Smile Hub Dental. This website was last updated on 29/03/2022 at 16:01
