Psychosomatics of teeth and gums

What psychosomatics says

In psychosomatics, teeth are linked to the right to “bite,” meaning to defend yourself and answer back. Tooth decay is described through the feeling “I have no right to answer.” Your boss criticizes you all the time, and you stay silent so as not to lose your job. Or everyone expects you to finally put your sister in her place, but you don’t want a fight.

Teeth grinding is linked to bitterness: during the day you hold yourself together and don’t fight back, and at night your jaw keeps fighting. The jawbone and gums are described through self-devaluation: “I’m not strong enough to protect myself.”

Anger and the wish to answer back are normal in themselves: they show you where you’re being attacked. Psychosomatics helps you see whom you can’t answer and find the words to stand up for yourself without a war.

What it is

According to the World Health Organization (2025), oral diseases affect nearly 3.7 billion people. Most of them are tooth decay and gum disease.

Tooth decay, according to the clinical protocol of the Kazakhstan Ministry of Health (2015), is a process in which the hard tissues of the tooth soften and a cavity forms. The WHO explains where it comes from: plaque on the tooth turns sugar from food and drinks into acid, which destroys the tooth over time. The risk goes up with sweets, too little fluoride, poor brushing.

Gingivitis, according to the Kazakhstan Ministry of Health protocol (2015), is inflammation of the gums while the tooth is still firmly attached. With periodontitis the inflammation already destroys the tissues around the tooth and the jawbone, and teeth start to get loose. The WHO names poor oral hygiene and smoking as the main causes of gum disease.

The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) advises regular dental check-ups, especially during pregnancy. The NHS most often links teeth grinding, or bruxism, to stress and anxiety: it wears teeth down and causes pain in the jaw, head and ear.

How it shows up

• Your gums bleed when you brush or eat hard food
• A tooth aches from cold, hot or sweet food
• A dark spot or a hole in a tooth
• Gums are red, swollen or receding
• Bad breath
• Your jaw or head hurts in the morning, your teeth are worn down

A dentist takes care of teeth and gums: a general dentist for cavities, a periodontist for gums. If you clench your teeth at night, they can make you a mouth guard.