Personal support for improved oral health

Featured Products Promotional Features

  Posted by: Dental Design      8th August 2024

A dental professional’s ability to accommodate the needs of their patients is essential for providing effective care. When a patient requires additional support, clinicians should do all they can to offer tailored dental care plans. As has become increasingly clear in recent years, mental health and oral health are intrinsically linked. Amongst the most common mental illnesses that might impact a person’s oral health are anxiety, panic attacks, depression, eating disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).[i]

It is important to approach patients who are experiencing mental illness with sensitivity, helping them to feel safe and confident in your abilities. It’s crucial that clinicians understand the link between mental illness and dental health, the long-term effects, and how best to support their patients.

Mental health and dental health

There exists a bi-directional relationship between mental health and dental health. Dental anxiety and phobia can cause issues when seeking dental care, and mental health issues can lead to dental problems. These might include erosion, caries, and periodontitis which, when left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. As such, patients with mental illness are 2.7 times more likely than others to lose all of their teeth.[ii] Because of this, it’s important to understand the specific issues affecting different patients, and the best ways to assist them.

There are a number of factors which contribute to oral health issues in patients with mental illness. Some may avoid dental care to the point of neglect, unable to keep up with consistent oral hygiene routines, making caries and gingivitis far more likely. Anxiety is another key factor, with dental-specific anxiety leading patients to stop attending regular dental appointments, having a severe impact on oral health. Clinicians should also consider the effects that eating disorders could have on oral health. Bulimia, in particular, often leads to dental erosion, and low levels of calcium affects the health of the teeth. Some mental health conditions, such as bipolar, may make over-vigorous brushing more common, increasing tooth wear. Further to this, some medications can have an effect on oral health, often causing dry mouth.i

Some people may also engage in self-soothing behaviours when experiencing poor mental health, such as drinking alcohol, smoking, or eating more processed foods. All of these have negative impacts on oral and general health.[iii] As such, its important to discuss lifestyle factors with patients, to help them manage and to make helpful recommendations for their health. Additionally, patients who have anxiety may be more likely to experience bruxism or suffer TMJ pain. Should a clinician notice the symptoms of this, it may be helpful to recommend patients wear a splint to prevent excessive damage.iii

The long term effects

In the long-term, if patients do not receive the preventive care and advice they need, and continue to neglect their oral hygiene, they may be more likely than others to experience oral diseases such as caries, gingivitis, and tooth wear. This can further worsen the effects of mental health conditions, with added stress and anxiety about their dental problems restarting the cycle.

Tailored support

Sometimes, mental health issues can make it more difficult for patients to access dental care. To assist patients who may feel vulnerable in a dental setting, be sure to encourage openness about their mental health, and any medications they take, to help build a picture of their overall health. Communicating clearly about this will enable you to identify any high-risk areas and where to target care. Encourage patients to bring someone with them to their appointments, should they need support, who can help them to discuss their needs and concerns.[iv]

Should a patient require treatment be sure to explain procedures thoroughly, and make sure that they do not feel rushed. When patients have a good understanding of what to expect from treatment, they are likely to feel less anxious.iv Enable patients to speak freely about their concerns, particularly if they have not previously attended regular dental appointments, as this will help to build trust.

Prevention for lasting oral health

Preventive care is key when treating patients with mental ill health, particularly as they may be at higher risk for caries and gingivitis. As such, it’s important to recommend products which boost oral hygiene, and are easy to use, like FLEXI interdental brushes and PREVENT GEL from TANDEX. When using both of these together, patients are able to remove plaque from in between the teeth with ease, whilst also applying 0.12% chlorhexidine for an antibacterial effect, and 900ppm fluoride to help strengthen enamel.

In order to effectively help patients with mental ill health, it is important for clinicians to provide tailored preventive advice, particularly for patients who are at a heightened risk of tooth wear, caries, and gingivitis.

For more information on Tandex’s range of products,
visit https://tandex.dk/

Our products are also available from CTS Dental Supplies
https://www.cts-dental.com/

Author: Jacob Watwood

[i] Oral Health Foundation. Mental Illness and Oral Health. Accessed May 24. https://www.dentalhealth.org/mental-illness-and-oral-health

[ii] Kisely, Steve. “No mental health without oral health.” The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 61.5 (2016): 277-282.

[iii] Cleveland Clinic. The link between dental health and mental health: what you need to know. Accessed May 24.  https://health.clevelandclinic.org/link-between-dental-health-and-mental-health

[iv] Etwall Dental Practice. The connection between oral health and mental health. Accessed May 24.  https://www.etwalldentalpractice.co.uk/the-connection-between-oral-health-mental-health/

No Comments

No comments yet.

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.