The Impact of Malocclusion on Adolescent Mental Health: An Analysis and Intervention Perspective

Journal: Journal of Clinical Medicine Research DOI: 10.32629/jcmr.v7i1.5053

Yu Wu

School of Medicine, Hainan Vocational University of Science and Technology, Haikou 571126, Hainan, China

Abstract

Malocclusion, a common oral health issue among adolescents, has impacts that extend beyond the physiological dimension, increasingly manifesting at the psychological level. As teenagers place growing emphasis on personal appearance and social interaction, this condition often leads to a range of psychological responses, including social withdrawal, self-identity challenges, and emotional fluctuations. To promote the harmonious physical and mental development of adolescents and to raise awareness among healthcare and educational professionals, this paper examines the mechanisms through which malocclusion affects adolescents’ social behavior, self-perception, and emotional well-being. Furthermore, it discusses feasible intervention strategies aimed at mitigating these adverse psychological effects.

Keywords

malocclusion; adolescent; mental health; social anxiety; self-esteem

References

[1] Alshammari A, Almotairy N, Kumar A, et al. Effect of malocclusion on jaw motor function and chewing in children: a systematic review[J]. Clin Oral Investig, 2022, 26(3): 2335-2351.
[2] El Osta N, Chambon P, Dol G, et al. Does malocclusion affect ingestion: a systematic review[J]. Clin Oral Investig, 2024, 28(1): 111.
[3] Owens D, Watkinson S, Harrison J E, et al. Orthodontic treatment for prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) in children[J]. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2024, 4(4): Cd003451.
[4] Póvoa-Santos L, Lacerda-Santos R, Alvarenga-Brant R, et al. Ankyloglossia and malocclusion: A systematic review and meta-analysis[J]. J Am Dent Assoc, 2024, 155(1): 59-73.e9.
[5] Alrashed M, Alqerban A. The relationship between malocclusion and oral health-related quality of life among adolescents: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis[J]. Eur J Orthod, 2021, 43(2): 173-183.
[6] Göranson E, Sonesson M, Naimi-Akbar A, et al. Malocclusions and quality of life among adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis[J]. Eur J Orthod, 2023, 45(3): 295-307.
[7] Zhou X, Chen S, Zhou C, et al. Expert consensus on early orthodontic treatment of class III malocclusion[J]. Int J Oral Sci, 2025, 17(1): 20.
[8] Zou J, Meng M, Law C S, et al. Common dental diseases in children and malocclusion[J]. Int J Oral Sci, 2018, 10(1): 7.

Copyright © 2026 Yu Wu

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License