The connection between mental health and physical health has become more widely known in recent years. When your physical health is poor, this can affect your mental health and vice versa. The influence they exert on each other is profound. Poor mental health can manifest in various behavioural patterns that compromise oral care. Similarly, oral health issues, such as chronic dental pain or poor self-esteem related to dental appearance, can exacerbate mental health challenges, forming a difficult cycle to break. Understanding this relationship is key to promoting well-being.
When your mental health is suffering, good dental hygiene often goes by the wayside. This can result in gum disease and tooth decay. Common scenarios include:
- Making bad food choices such as reaching for sugary foods to provide a quick mood boost
- Anxiety and phobia of visiting the dentist can stop people from seeing the dentist or hygienist regularly
- Eating disorders such as bulimia can lead to dental erosion and a lack of calcium also weakens teeth
- Stress in day-to-day life leading to jaw clenching or grinding teeth (bruxism)
- Smoking can harm gums, increase mouth cancer risk, and cause post-tooth removal complications
- Alcohol or certain medications can cause a dry mouth which increases bacteria production leading to gum problems plus the acidity and sugar in the drinks can attack the tooth enamel
- Overbrushing if you have OCD or bipolar can lead to abrasive damage
Men are also more likely to neglect their teeth than women. Men are less likely to brush their teeth twice a day than their female counterparts and men typically visit a hygienist less often than women, preferring to visit a dentist for acute needs over preventative treatment. This leads to higher incidences of gum disease in men than women
Neglecting proper oral care can have serious impacts on wider health, such as increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dementia. It can even impact men’s sexual function, as studies show that men with gum disease are at higher risk of developing erectile dysfunction.
At Westleigh Dental Care, we take appropriate steps to assist patients in need including;
- Taking a comprehensive medical history
- Booking longer appointment times so we can listen to the issues and accommodate how the patient would like the appointment to go, e.g. hand scaling over ultrasonic, pain relief such as local anaesthetic or numbing gels.
- Providing treatment plans and ensuring patients understand the different treatment options available to them
- Advice on stopping smoking or quitting alcohol
- Referral to specialists for sedation if needed
- Allowing the patient to be accompanied by an individual who can provide reassurance and assist in clarifying information during appointments
If you are struggling with your mental health and want to know where to get help, your GP is a good place to start. The following organisations in the local area may also be able to help you.
Solent Mind
https://www.solentmind.org.uk/
Andy’s Man Club
https://andysmanclub.co.uk/groups/
NHS Eating Disorders Service
https://hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/our-services/a-z-list-of-services/eating-disorders-service
Alcoholics Anonymous
https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/find-a-meeting/
Stopping Smoking
https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-health-services/stop-smoking-support-services
