Mental Health Affects Oral Health

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Did you know that mental illnesses have an impact on your dental health too? Probably not. The Diamond Bar dental agency recently conducted a study and discovered that people who suffer from mental illnesses are also more likely to suffer from dental problems. The study revealed that people suffering from bipolar disorder or schizophrenia were three times more likely to suffer from serious oral health problems, including gum disease and tooth loss. Here, we look at some factors that lead to poor dental care in such patients.

How mental health affects dental health

The dentists in Diamond Bar have treated several patients with mental illness. All of these patients have a few characteristics in common. Let's understand these characteristics or reasons.

Medication

One of the main causes of dental problems in such patients is their medication. Several mental illness medicines have an impact on the saliva production, which in the long run allows gum disease or infections to manifest. Some medications even trigger the need for sugary food, which allows bacteria to accumulate and trigger several different dental issues.

Lack of understanding of dental care

Some mental illnesses have an impact on a person's mood, motivation and logical sense. Without the logical sense, the need to visit the dentist hardly ever arises. To visit the dentists in Diamond Bar, one must understand the importance of the visit and the dental treatment, this understanding is usually low in patients that suffer from mental illnesses. Moreover, with mental illnesses people often do not prioritize dental care. Thus, with this lack of understanding and attention to dental care oral problems build up.

Fear with oral checkups

There are several patients whose mental illness enhances their fear, anxiety and paranoia level. With high fear, anxiety and paranoia these patients often end up missing their dental appointments. Without visiting the dentist regularly, oral problems are bound to develop.

With such reasons, it is of utmost importance that dentists treating such patients should be aware of their medical history. Once the dentists know what mental illnesses their patients are experiencing, special attention and medications can be given in order to ensure their oral health. The Diamond Bar dental agency reported that if such people do not take care of their oral health, in the future they will also have to suffer from health problems, which will further complicate their life. Thus, the importance must be communicated.

Harry Lloyd is an e-marketing consultant, specializing in the US healthcare sector. Representing the family clinic of Dr. Gurz, Lloyd focuses on promoting advanced, non-excruciating dentistry treatments the Diamond Bar dental specializes in. The dentist in Diamond Bar also offers zero interest financing and senior citizen discount.