Understanding The Connection Between Mental Health And Oral Health

There is always a link between the human overall health and mental health. Its seen that patients with mental difficulties often demonstrate to find it challenging not able to take care of their physical health, while most struggle at maintaining it regularly. And when physical health tends to be neglected, there are problems of emotional damage and mental health. Also, poor physical health is dangerous to self-esteem , poor self-appreciation, and self-goodness, which would reduce mental fitness drastically.

Furthermore, mental health has lots of implications for oral health. For patients with severe mental illnesses are of higher risk of oral issues due to poor oral hygiene, likewise poor dieting.In this article I will be giving out 6 links between the mental health and Oral health:

1. Depression

Depression is a disorder that can be seen as a lack of energy, distress, loss of focus, lessening of desire, a feeling of hopelessness which will prevent the daily activities of a person. The most recurring signs will include loss of interest in your favorite activities, loss of weight, feelings of being a liability and full of negativity, reduced attention, and thoughts of dying .
This sudden lack of attention and a general depression of the mental state will surely affect the oral and dental health likewise because this will bring about severe depression loss in their care. And this loss of health will bring a start to cavities development, which could finally result in teeth loss.

The state of oral and dental health problems caused by depression, in turn, will reduce self-esteem , which negatively will influence the progress of their mental illness.

2.Schizophrenia

This is a disease that is determined by the appearance of abnormalities in disordered thoughts, mirage, delusions, disorganized behavior , and lack of thinking. A study for patients with the disease reveals most of these patients at about 61% have bad oral hygiene, adding to teeth loss, dry mouth, and critical bad dental cavities.
Patients with this disease are ranked as a high-risk group for raising dental disease. They are more at risk for serious dental health issues compared to the healthy population. It’s of notice that the rate in which the disease attacks the patients at an extended time frame if without proper health care can cause cardiovascular disease.

3. Bipolar Disorder

Also known as mood shifts that change from the frantic mood to depression . At the frantic mood, the person will be very active, more hyperactive, and full of life. But at the opposite phases, its depression which will exhibit the symptoms that can be compared to those explained in the depression portion of this article.
With this state, the person is exposed to a higher risk of forming dental cavities, some irregularities in judgment, and xerostomia. It is important to be conscious while giving out treatments. Also it is worthy to discuss with the dentist before starting any medications. Generally, it is important to know that dental or orthodontic treatments are necessary for everybody and not especially for those people that are experiencing a dental problem.

4. Eating Disorders

There has been an existing relationship between eating disorders and oral health problems described in late 1970, and lies within the scale of 35-38%. It is said to be that patients who experience eating disorder conditions suffer tooth decay from the acidity in vomiting.

5.Dental Phobia

Dental phobia is said to be diagnosable, it is simply fear of the dentist. In many cases, people who suffer from dental phobia do so because of the previous treatments at the dentist and also what they hear from people and their experiences. These treatments somehow can be difficult and may come with a painful technique.
More so, the fear can be as a result of bad communication with the dentist and taking note of the dentist’s reaction. When a person meets a dentist that is not caring and with a harsh behavior , definitely this will prompt an increased fear to the patient. And that’s why patients with dental fear don’t visit the dentist and lack proper dental care usually as they should.

6.Medications

Dentists should be aware of medications given to the patients during treatment of which may cause bad oral effects such as dry mouth, which can cause a reduction of saliva flow. Also, it is essential for the caretaker to be knowledgeable about the connection between oral and mental health.

In conclusion, it is important for people who are undergoing mental health issues should realize the meaning of good oral health and be inspired to retain good dental rules. Encouragement to emulating a healthier lifestyle, thereby supporting them in a positive day to day routine, and making them feel more comfortable with accessing dental care; you can effectively manage the oral health of a person suffering from mental illness.