Oral Hygiene & Mental Health: Are They Connected?

Thursday, October 15, 2020

 

More and more dentists are gaining a better understanding of the connection between oral hygiene and mental health; indeed, many health experts understand that the mind and body are connected. With that in mind, here are a few important aspects of oral hygiene and mental well-being to consider.


Neglect

In some cases, a person with mental health issues neglects their oral hygiene and this can cause several oral issues. While the average adult will always adopt good oral hygiene practices, those with mental health issues can easily forget to brush and floss. If you notice such signs from a family member, make an appointment and take them to a dentist Mudgeeraba or your local area has available for a thorough oral examination.

Medication

There are many drugs that are taken by people with mental health issues that cause dry mouth, which can quickly lead to a gum infection. If a member of your family is currently on medication, search online to discover the possible side effects, and if dry mouth is a symptom, you should take the person to see a dentist.

Eating Disorders

If a person suffers from bulimia, for example, this could cause oral hygiene issues, as the acid created when we vomit can attack the tooth enamel. If any member of your family has an eating disorder, they could be at risk of damage to the tooth enamel and you should make a dental appointment every 6 months in order for the dentist to monitor this.

Fear of the Dentist

It might be that a person had a bad experience at the dentist when they were young, and this can result in the person refusing to have oral examinations, fearing treatment. If this persists, it is only a matter of time before they will experience toothache, and rather than wait for that to happen, it is best to persuade the person to visit a dentist who understands how to deal with a fear of the dentist. There are several references online on having a fear of the dentist, which offers several potential remedies.

Anxiety Caused By Poor Oral Hygiene

If a person has oral issues but does nothing about it, this will make that person anxious, and if they are secretive about this, no one would be aware that there is a problem. If you have a friend or family member that seems to be bothered by something, do take the time to enquire and if they have oral issues, the best solution is to make an appointment with a local dentist.

One of the most common issues that a person with mental health problems can have is an oral hygiene problem, which is usually the result of not having a good oral hygiene routine in place. The person might not wish to inform others that they are suffering from a dental problem, and as time passes, they will become more worried and eventually, dental treatment must be carried out. If you have someone in your family with mental health issues, try to check that they have no oral problems as well and if they do, make an appointment to see a local dentist.

 



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