Most of us have a pretty good idea about what it takes to maintain our oral health. We know to brush and floss, to avoid sugary foods, and to visit our dentist for teeth cleaning and dental exams. Why, then, are cavities and gum disease so common? Researchers believe that personality traits may be what separates our understanding of the importance of oral hygiene from our willingness to put those practices into action. Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz, who provides dental exams and screening in Astoria, NY, shares interesting findings from several studies on the topic.
What We Know vs. What We Do
Interestingly, 97 percent of respondents to one survey said that they brush their teeth at least once daily. The problem isn’t that they aren’t brushing, but that only 87 percent of participants brush all of their teeth. Two-thirds of respondents fail to follow the American Dental Association guidelines of flossing at least once a day; of the one-third who do floss daily, only one in three flosses between each of their teeth. It’s been said that actions speak louder than words, so why do so many adults neglect to follow through with their recommended oral hygiene regimen?
The “Big Five” Theory of Personality
Studies exploring the relationship between personality and oral hygiene generally do so using the “big five” theory of personality, which categorizes broad dimensions of personality as agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism, and openness. Do any of these sound familiar?
Agreeableness: You’ll go out of your way to help out others, donate to charity, or even hold the door open for a stranger. You’re described as affectionate and kind.
Conscientious: You’re organized and detail oriented, always thinking about how your actions might affect others. You’re always aware of your surroundings.
Extroversion: You love conversation and social interaction and have been described as emotionally expressive. You’ve often thought of yourself as the life of the party.
Neuroticism: Try though you may, you often find yourself feeling irritable or thinking pessimistic thoughts. You have something of a temper, and you’re prone to anxiety.
Openness: You’re always willing to try something new, learn a new skill, or see things from a different perspective. You’ve been described as creative and curious.
Personality Traits and Oral Health
Researchers have theorized that understanding the impacts of your personality on your hygiene practices, they can help identify possible warning signs for such oral health threats as tooth decay, gum disease, and adult tooth loss. Still, personality doesn’t just affect your hygiene practices. It may also determine how you view the importance of oral health and whether you engage in behaviors that harm your oral health.
Some of the most telling findings from studies:
- Extroverted types are more compliant in scheduling recommended exams and screenings; this applies not only to oral health, but also to overall health, such as following an exercise regimen.1
- Neurotic personality traits have been linked with tobacco use and bruxism, both of which are very harmful to teeth.
- Creativity has been linked to positive brushing behaviors
- Neurotic qualities are negatively linked to brushing behaviors
- Although extroversion does not have a significant positive relationship to brushing behaviors, it does reflect a positive effect on other oral health behaviors, such as flossing, using mouthwash, and using gum stimulators.2
1 Bosse, et al. Personality Traits and Oral Self-care Behaviors: Longitudinal Findings from the Normative Aging Study. Psychology and Health
2 Shanker, et al. Influence of Personality Traits on Gingival Health. Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology
How could you improve your approach to oral hygiene? To learn more about preventive dental care, or to schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz, contact us at 718-728-8320. We welcome patients living in Astoria, Queens, NYC, upstate New York, and New Jersey.
