Studies have shown that oral and mental health are interrelated and can impact each other. Although more research is necessary to understand these connections, it’s crucial for patients to understand the cyclical nature of mental health and oral health and work with their health care providers to address any concerns that may come up.
The Connection Between Mental Health and Oral Health
Your mental health significantly affects your overall health, including your oral health. Sometimes, dentists are the first medical professionals to notice any signs and symptoms of a mental illness. They also make many referrals to counselors or therapists.
The health of your teeth offers dentists a glimpse into your mood, stress levels, anxiety, and whether you have an eating disorder or not.
Mental health and oral health affect each other in so many ways, often turning into a cycle difficult to stop. Some of the ways they affect each other include:
Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety is one way to show the connection between mental health and oral health. About half of all patients with dental problems experience anxiety about their visits to the dentist. Sometimes, it leads to dental phobia or another specific form of phobia that can make them stop going to their dentists, even if they badly need to be treated. Unfortunately, not visiting your dentist regularly often leads to dental problems. Minor problems that could have been found early worsen, become more difficult to treat, and affect self-esteem, which worsens their mental health.
It’s best to talk to your dentist if you have any dental anxiety. They understand why you’re nervous and will know how to give you the treatment you need while accommodating your needs.
Neglect
Depression and other mental disorders often make a person feel tired and unmotivated to do anything, even brushing and flossing. They also feel too tired to prepare meals, leading to poor nutrition.
Self-esteem
One of the psychological effects of bad teeth is the worsening of mental health problems. Patients who don’t have access to regular dental care may feel ashamed of their smiles and lack the confidence they need to socialize with others. Sometimes, dental problems make eating or talking difficult, which may lead to anxiety and feelings of isolation. It may also lead to depression and increased withdrawal from other people.
Coping Mechanisms
Coping mechanisms are another way that shows how mental health and oral health are connected. Mental illnesses are often accompanied by harmful coping mechanisms like smoking, alcohol, and drugs. People with anxiety and depression are more likely than others to drink alcohol. It may also eventually lead to gum disease and even oral cancer.
Gut Bacteria
Mental health problems also affect the bacteria in our digestive system. Studies have shown that even mild stress impacts gut health, making us more prone to diseases and infections.
Gut health and oral health are also related. Studies show that poor gut health that causes inflammation and leaking in the intestinal lining is linked to worsening oral conditions like periodontal disease and tooth decay.
Medications
Some of the medications used to treat mental illnesses cause dry mouth, which affects oral health. Your mouth won’t have enough saliva to protect your teeth, increasing the likelihood of tooth decay and gum disease.
Some antidepressants and other mood-stabilizing medications have been linked to stomatitis, a condition where the mouth’s lining is swollen and red.
Oral Problems in Different Mental Illnesses
Some mental illnesses have characteristic dental issues:
Mood Disorders
Tooth wear is a characteristic trait of depression due to smoking, alcohol, and bruxism.
Patients with depression also experience tooth decay. They may not have the energy or motivation to take care of themselves, resulting in poor oral hygiene. The antidepressants they take may also cause a dry mouth. Their poor hygiene and neglect of proper nutrition might also cause changes in how their dental prostheses fit them.
Bipolar affective disorder patients face additional issues. They might floss or brush too much during a manic phase, causing tooth abrasion and lacerations to their gums and other soft tissues in the mouth. Lithium treatments for bipolar affective disorders have also been linked to stomatitis and dry mouth.
Eating Disorders
Tooth erosion is the most common diagnosis in patients with eating disorders, often caused by acidic foods and drinks, frequent vomiting, or gastric reflux. A meta-analysis of 10 studies showed that patients with eating disorders were five times more likely to have tooth erosion than those without. Patients with self-induced vomiting are seven times at risk for tooth erosion.
Patients with anorexia are more likely to have obsessive personality traits, making them more meticulous about hygiene. However, a meta-analysis showed that they have more fillings, decayed, and missing surfaces than others because of self-induced vomiting.
Severe Mental Illnesses
Gum disease and tooth decay due to bacterial infections are more common in patients with severe mental disorders like schizophrenia and dementia. On the other hand, patients with psychiatric disorders experience gum disease and tooth decay caused by their medications like antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics.
Severe mental illness also increases the risk of periodontal diseases. A study showed that 99% of Italian psychiatric patients had developed gum disease. Leaving periodontal diseases unchecked leads to pockets in the gum extending beyond the tooth.
Tooth loss is the final stage of untreated periodontal disease and dental caries. A meta-analysis of 25 studies found that people with severe mental illness were 2.7 times more likely to lose all of their teeth than the general population. However, there was evidence that fluoridated water may have reduced the difference between patients with mental illness and the general population.
How To Manage Your Oral Health
Poor oral health can negatively affect your mental health. Here are some preventive oral health care tips to help you manage your oral health:
Keep teeth and gums healthy.
Mental health and oral hygiene go hand in hand. Healthy gums and teeth won’t make you feel embarrassed and may give you some much-needed confidence boost. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and use interdental brushes or floss at least once a day to clean your teeth thoroughly. You can also reduce your consumption of sugary foods, drinks, and alcohol.
You would also be doing your teeth a favor if you stopped drinking and smoking and visited your dentist more often.
Try xylitol mints.
Try xylitol mints if your medications cause dryness in your mouth. Xylitol is a natural sweetener, and chewing on xylitol mints helps you make more saliva and prevent cavities.
Have Better Mental Health and Oral Health with Sunrise Dentistry
Dental problems and mental illness are connected; caring for one will help the other improve. It’s best to seek help from medical professionals. Our dentists in Pagosa Springs are understanding and will help give you the treatments you need while accommodating your needs. Call us today and take the first step to wellness.
