People with poor mental health face many challenges. Perhaps the least known is that it is more likely than the total population to have poor oral health.
Research has shown that people with severe mental illness are four times more likely than the general population to have gum disease. Are almost three times more likely to have lost all their teeth Due to problems such as gum disease and tooth wear.
Serious mental illnesses include significant depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. These conditions affect About 800,000 Australians.
People living with schizophrenia have, on average, Eight more teeth decomposed, missing or filled with the general population.
So why is this link? And what can we do to deal with the problem?
Why is this a problem?
Oral health problems are expensive to be corrected and it can be difficult to eat, socialize, work or even smile.
In addition, dental issues can land people in the hospital. Our research shows that dental conditions are the Third most common Reason for remuneration of hospitals between people with severe mental illness.
Meantime, poor oral health is associated with long -term health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, some cancers and even cognitive problems. This is due to the fact that gum -related bacteria can cause inflammation throughout the body, which affects Other systems in the body.
Why are mental health and oral health associated?
Poor mental and oral health are shared common risk factors. Social factors such as isolation, unemployment and insecurity of housing can worsen both oral and mental health.
For example, unemployment increases the risk oral disease. This may be due to financial difficulties, reduced access to oral health care or possible changes in nutrition and hygiene practices.
At the same time, oral disease box Increase obstacles to finding employmentDue to the stigma, discrimination, dental pain and relative long -term health conditions.
It is clear that the relationship between oral health and mental health goes in both ways. Dental illness can reduce self -esteem and Increase psychological discomfort. Meanwhile, symptoms of mental health conditions, such as low motivation, can engage in good oral health practices, including brushing, thread and visit to the dentist, harder.
And as many people, those with serious mental illness can experience significant stress About the dentist. They may also have experienced trauma in the past, which can make a visit to dental clinic a frightening experience.
Separately, poor oral health can be exacerbated by certain medications for mental health conditions. Some medicines can interfere with saliva production, Reduction of the protective barrier This covers the teeth. Some may also Increase sugar cravingsthat increases the risk of tooth decay.
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Our research
In a recent study, We interviewed Young people with mental illness. Our findings show the significant personal cost of dental disease among people with mental illness and emphasize the relationship between oral and mental health.
Smile is one of our best ways of communicating, but we have found that people with serious mental illness sometimes embarrassed and ashamed to smile because of poor oral health.
A participant told us:
[poor oral health is] not only [about] The natural aspects of limiting the way you eat, but are also for your mental health in terms of your self -esteem, self -esteem and basic prosperity, which leads me to become more isolated.
Another said:
For me, it was this serious fear – God my teeth look really crap, and in the past they have [dental practitioners] Asked, “Hi, you missed this point, what’s going on?”. How can I explain to them, Hey, I had some really shitty things that are happening and I have a very serious episode of depression?
What can we do?
Another of our recent studies focused on improving the awareness and behaviors of oral health between young adults experiencing mental health difficulties. We found a short online oral health training program improved the knowledge and attitudes of participants’ oral health.
Improving oral health can lead to improved mental well -being, self -esteem and quality of life. But achieving this is not always easy.
Limited Medicare coverage for dental care that are oral diseases often treated slowlyespecially among people with mental illness. Until this time, more invasive treatments, such as tooth removal, are often required.
It is important for the health system to adopt a holistic approach to the care of people with serious mental illnesses. This means that we have mental health staff who ask questions about oral health and dentists who are trained to manage the unique oral health needs of people with serious mental illnesses.
It also means increasing government funding for oral health services – promotion, prevention and improved interdisciplinary care. This includes better cooperation between oral health, mental health and areas of peer and informal support.
