How a bad hygiene habit might increase your risk of depression

Mental Health How a bad hygiene habit might increase your risk of depression By Allie Yang Published June 11, 2026, 6:29 a.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google You really can feel down in the mouth. We tend to think of depression as something that exists in the mind, but the reality is that it affects the whole body — and the whole body can have an impact on depression, including your teeth and gums. “Poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease. Gum disease creates chronic inflammation,” Dr. Jason Auerbach, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, told The Post. “Chronic inflammation has been associated with a number of health conditions, including depression.” 3 Depression can make it feel impossible to keep up with day-to-day hygiene.

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