If Dr. Michael Glick had his way, everyone who receives mental health care would be referred to a dentist. Oral health and mental health are closely related. For example, people who suffer from anxiety or depression are more likely to neglect self-care practices such as brushing their teeth twice a day. This impacts the overall health of their teeth and mouth. Additionally, the medications often prescribed to treat these conditions can cause dry mouth, which can lead to cavities and gum disease.
For nearly a decade, Dr. Glick, director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Comprehensive Oral Health, has urged dentists and the public to focus on:
Oral Instead of health Dentistry health.
“Medical schools spend less than 15 minutes of their four-year curriculum on oral health, treating the mouth as a portal to what’s going on inside the body, rather than a mirror,” he says. But oral health “isn’t just about disease. Oral health is not just about what happens to your teeth; it affects other aspects of your life.”
Oral health includes not only your ability to speak, laugh, chew and swallow comfortably, but also social and psychological characteristics that impact your quality of life, Dr. Glick says.
He asks: “If you’re not confident about your smile, would you still be able to work at the front desk? Would having chipped teeth or bad breath make you depressed or give you social anxiety that would cause you to avoid certain tasks or social situations?”
A portrait in numbers
Researchers say people with serious mental illnesses are nearly three times more likely to lose their teeth than the general population. Nearly two-thirds of people diagnosed with depression report toothache, and half of those with clinical depression rate their teeth as in fair or poor condition. Additionally, people with substance use disorders and eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia often have higher levels of tooth decay, enamel wear, and periodontal disease.
Signs of stress
At the same time, stressed people may grind their teeth at night or suffer from headaches due to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), a painful condition that affects the joint that connects the jaw to the skull.
Fortunately, dentistry is expanding beyond just focusing on treating dental problems to providing preventive care and oral health support. Regular dental care, good nutrition, and stress-reduction habits can keep people healthy, even if they have mental health issues.
“For many people, oral health is not a priority, but it’s something that’s easy and immediately doable,” says Dr. Glick. If you have concerns about your teeth or overall oral health, talk to your dentist.
For more information on mental health, self-care strategies and how to get support, visit ibx.com/knowyourmind
Dr. Glick was the keynote speaker at the 2023 Independence Blue Cross Health Equity Summit.
This content was originally published on IBX Insights.
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