Today, the 10th of October, is Mental Health Awareness Day. While many may wonder what the correlation is between mental and dental health, it is our job at dental specialists to find signs of not just dental, but also mental and systemic conditions while examining a patient's mouth.The effect of mental illnesses often manifests in …
Today, the 10th of October, is Mental Health Awareness Day. While many may wonder what the correlation is between mental and dental health, it is our job at dental specialists to find signs of not just dental, but also mental and systemic conditions while examining a patient’s mouth.
The effect of mental illnesses often manifests in the mouth. At the same time, poor dental health has also been shown to exacerbate mental issues. This tells us that there is a definite cyclical relationship between the two, one which needs more research on a scientific level and also a basic awareness amongst members of society
How does Poor Dental Health affect Mental Health?
- Patients with Depression often show self-neglect. This can be identified by a dentist with a sudden change in the patient’s dental health, with a lack of maintenance, poor brushing habits, and increased dental disease
- Patients with Aggression and Stress show increased wearing of the teeth, bruxism, aggressive brushing habits and even gingival lacerations
- Patients with eating disorders may show increased erosion of the teeth due to vomiting and an acidic oral environment
- Patients with alcohol and tobacco dependency show typical oral signs
- Many anti-psychotic and anti-depressant drugs cause increased susceptibility to oral infections
How Do You Know It’s Affecting You?
- Badly maintained teeth, dental decay and “ugly looking” teeth may cause social anxiety. Bad breath is also a contributing factor.
- Patients are conscious of laughing loudly or even speaking clearly due to poor dental appearance, which exacerbates social anxiety
- Patients of mental illness are 2.8 times more likely to have lost all their teeth; this affects physical appearance, self-esteem, and self-image.
- Also, statistics show that patients with mental illness have a higher rate of tooth decay also affecting appearance and self image.
The mouth is a gateway to the entire body and often signs of mental and physiologic trouble is first identified here. We, as dentists pay attention to this correlation and ensure that we catch telltale signs at an early stage. Contact us Today, as it is our responsibility to look out for not just the mouth, but the total well-being of our patients.
