The health of your body and your mind are closely related to one another. Even though one’s oral health and mental health might seem like two completely different things, they do share a relationship, even if it’s not direct. Those who suffer from mental problems or illnesses also tend to experience poor dental health.
Some of the most common mental health problems that can have a potentially negative effect on an individual’s oral health include depression, anxiety, panic attacks, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
So how exactly do mental health issues impact your oral health?
Here are some oral health issues that those battling with mental health problems experience.
Neglect
Those suffering from mental health problems or illnesses such as depression or anxiety tend to avoid dental care so much that their oral hygiene is highly neglected. This often results in serious dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease.
Anxiety
Most people who suffer from anxiety, especially social anxiety, tend to suffer from some form of dental phobia, which leads people to stop visiting their dentist regularly. This can cause many dental problems as infrequent dental visits can have a huge impact on one’s oral health.
Eating Disorders
People who suffer from conditions such as bulimia tend to experience dental erosion due to the acidity in vomit. Moreover, such people also tend to have low levels of calcium which impacts the health of their teeth.
Medication
Certain medications such as pills for depression or anxiety can have some side effects that can affect your oral health. For instance, they can cause dry mouth due to reduced saliva flow.
It is imperative for everyone to realize and acknowledge the connection between mental and oral health. As a carer of someone suffering from any mental health concern, you should motivate them to maintain good dental habits.
If you searching for a dental clinic that understands your concerns and tries to satisfy all your queries, call us at (503)855-0465 or visit us at ComfortCare Dental. Our highly experienced doctors, Kenneth L. Chung, DDS, MPH, Fred A. Bremner, DMD, Periodontics, and Dr. Bermen Wong, DDS can help solve all your dental concerns!
