Mental health and oral health neglect relations are less discussed in healthcare.
It’s a loop of events. We think that mental health is treated by therapy and medicine, whereas oral health is treated in a dental chair. But we forget that it is a bidirectional process.
Mental health conditions such as stress, emotional exhaustion, burnout, and depression can result in the inability to perform normal daily activities such as-
Abnormal dietary habit—high sugar intake
Poor oral hygiene—forget daily brushing.
Postponed dental visit
Less water intake
This can impact oral health by
Developing habits such as nail bitting, bruxism
Plaque accumulation
Increase dental caries
Stress-induced gingival enlargement
Periodontitis
Halitosis
On the other side, compromised dental health, such as missing teeth due to periodontitis or caries, halitosis, infection, can result in
Constant pain
Self-isolation
Low self-esteem
Less confidence
Such behaviour can be a reason for poor mental health conditions like stress, self-doubt, or depression.
The most uncomfortable truth about this connection is that our healthcare systems are structurally unprepared for it.
Recognizing this connection can help promote a more empathetic and holistic approach to oral healthcare.
Do you think mental health should be discussed more often in relation to oral health awareness?
Interestingly, Mental Health and Oral Health do correlate with each other and should be talked about in relation to healthcare awarness. Common mental health conditions such as anxiety, burnout and mental exhaustion impact the oral health even without our realisation and the poor dental conditions like loss of tooth, cavities and yellow teeth make us vulnerable and reduces our self-esteem.
This connection should be talked about in healtlhcare spaces as it can provide more empathy and patient care to the individuals. Individuals experiencing this, can be at ease that there are healthcare professionals who are eager to help and support them.
Absolutely true. This highlights an important aspect of Dentistry. We don’t just treat teeth, but we treat people. People with high stress level often presents with bruxism , neglected oral hygiene which they are completely unaware of. This is further linked to lower confidence, depression .
We can say here oral health is not separate from overall health. More awareness and empathetic approach can make difference.
Now that I think about it, its true. Whenever one is stressed, we will think - Oh! its just one day. Nothing will happen if we don’t brush for a day… Then this repeats, and don’t know for how many many days we skip it…