Depression and Oral Health Depression is a serious and debilitating problem and now there is evidence to suggest that your oral health could affect your chances of suffering from this condition. The study, performed by Deakin University, found that poor dental health increased the likelihood of depression.
When you have poor oral health, it can affect your mental health. For example, one study from England last year suggests that people who develop gum disease are also at an increased risk of developing anxiety and depression. [i] It can also reduce your quality of life.
Periodontal disease.
When the production of saliva is restricted, you can have a dry mouth, which results in a higher risk for tooth decay. Many patients with periodontal disease also have depression, and it's thought that the inflammation caused by periodontitis may play a role in developing depressive symptoms.
Plaque buildup and loss of teeth are just the beginning for people that don't practice good oral health. You can also experience mouth sores, gingivitis, and halitosis. Periodontal disease is also a distinct possibility if you don't take care of your teeth and gums.
adults with severe depression are more than twice as likely to say they do not brush their teeth at least twice a day. Even individuals with minimal depression are more likely to not brush their teeth at least twice a day than those without depression.
Depression is closely related to and affected by physical health. Many of the factors that influence depression (such as physical inactivity or harmful use of alcohol) are also known risk factors for diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and respiratory diseases.
Oral anxiety isn't being stressed, anxious, or depressed about your oral health. Instead, oral anxiety is the effects these mental health problems end up having on your oral health. This is especially true if you struggle with depression.
Some of the most common diseases that impact our oral health include cavities (tooth decay), gum (periodontal) disease, and oral cancer.
Some studies have found an association between gum disease and heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and cancer. Additionally, bacteria from bad oral hygiene can travel to other parts of your body through the bloodstream, resulting in certain respiratory infections.
Individuals not brushing their teeth regularly will not remove plaque and bacteria that cause gum disease; this, in turn, can lead to cavities and loss of teeth. Bad breath: One of the most obvious signs of poor oral health is bad breath.
What Is Diogenes Syndrome? Diogenes syndrome is a behavioral-health condition characterized by poor personal hygiene, hoarding, and unkempt living conditions. It is most common in older men and women, which is why it is also called senile squalor syndrome.
18 Jun How Depression Can Lead to Tooth Decay
The fact is, depression is now being linked with dental problems like tooth loss and oral pain. Yes, depression does affect your dental health, and it can even make your teeth hurt. Here's more about the connection between mental health and dental health.
“When your oral health is suffering, it can decrease the quality of your life or exacerbate mental health issues,” explains Dr. Albers. “If you feel embarrassed about the health of your teeth, you may notice that this triggers some social anxiety. You may withdraw.
Figure 1: This patient has many signs of poor oral hygiene and dental neglect, including heavy plaque, enamel demineralization, stained teeth, large cavities (caries) and inflamed gums. All of these conditions are preventable with good oral hygiene, proper nutrition, and awareness counseling.
The mouth is a complex ecosystem comprising different types of bacteria that can cause or contribute to additional health issues. If you have gum disease, you're likely to have increased systemic inflammation throughout your body. Because of this, you may feel tired, and your energy levels may plummet.
When we don't brush our teeth, bacteria and plaque can build up in our mouths, which can cause tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. If these issues are left untreated, they can lead to more severe health problems like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Most people know that poor oral hygiene can have adverse effects on the mouth, leading to bad breath, gum disease, cavities, tooth abscesses and infections, and the loss of teeth.
Wisdom teeth, on the other hand, connect to the central nervous system, heart, liver, and intestines. They can also signal high blood pressure, eczema, headache, liver disease, pain in the extremities, and cardiovascular disease.
Dry mouth, chronic dry mouth (xerostomia), a lack of saliva, bad breath, dry throat, increase thirst, and a dry and sticky tongue are common symptoms of anxiety disorder, including anxiety and panic attacks. Many anxious and stressed people get dry mouth symptoms.
The most commonly prescribed dental related drugs that treat anxiety belong to the “benzodiazepine” family. Drugs such as Valium, Halcion, Xanax, or Ativan. These drugs decrease anxiety by binding and toning down activity within “fear” receptors in the brain.