Is your mental health related to your dental health?

By Dr. Rashida Juzar Ali, neuromuscular dentist


Published: Thu 17 Jan 2019, 11:00 PM

Last updated: Fri 25 Jan 2019, 10:48 AM

It may come as a surprise, but mental health is closely related to dental health. Issues such as depression, stress and anxiety can have an impact on your teeth and vice versa. Not having the correct alignment, for instance, can cause a variety of health issues like TMJ disorder, headaches, migraines, body pains, cervical pain, lower back pain, which, in turn, can cause psychological distress to the person suffering from them. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, almost two-thirds of people diagnosed with depression reported experiencing a toothache, while half of all clinically depressed individuals surveyed rated the condition of their teeth as fair or poor. There's also a fairly strong link between gum disease and poor mental health. Those with problems such as depression and anxiety need to take extra care when following a dental hygiene routine, to ensure that they keep their mouth clean and healthy.
The Causes of Poor Dental Health
The most common reason behind poor dental health in mentally taxed patients is the behavioural effect of stress and anxiety. It can be difficult to have the discipline to follow a strict dental care routine when battling a mental health condition, which is why it's so important to take time out for self-reflection, which can give you the energy to put into everyday tasks. Depressed people are also more likely to have unhealthy diets and skip visits to the dentist.
Stress can have physiological effects on the body too. Spikes in the stress hormone cortisol weaken the immune system, which makes it easier for bacteria to invade the gums and cause inflammation. Certain antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can cause dry mouth, which means that saliva isn't available to clear away food debris after eating.
Those with severe anxiety sometimes exhibit symptoms such as canker sores and teeth grinding. Both of these are detrimental to oral health, with both short-term and long-term effects. In the case of teeth grinding, patients may permanently wear down essential molars and cause irreparable damage to protective enamel.
How to Care for Your Teeth
While it can be difficult for those suffering from depression and anxiety to establish a dental health routine, it's critical to do so to keep the teeth and gums healthy. All individuals should aim to brush their teeth twice daily, and floss at least once a day. It's also a good idea to use mouthwash to help rinse away debris and kill off dangerous bacteria. If necessary, people who are having trouble remembering to care for their teeth can set a morning and evening alarm to remind themselves to brush.
Poor mental health can take its toll not only on the mind, but also the body. Stress, anxiety and depression can all affect oral health and lead to the onset of gum disease and tooth decay. It's important that people suffering from mental health issues remember to take proper care of their teeth each day to aid in their overall wellness goals.
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