Mental Illness and Oral Health: Exploring the Link Between Mind and Mouth

People with mental illnesses are more likely than those without to have suboptimal oral health. Although there is no extensive research to evaluate this relationship, a few studies have shown a relationship between oral health status and mental health. This happens because of depressive symptoms, such as anhedonia or lack of motivation, feelings of worthlessness, and fatigue. These symptoms adversely affect the individual’s behavior related to oral hygiene maintenance.

To highlight this relationship, a new study examined the mental health-oral health association cross-sectionally and longitudinally. The findings of the study were presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting & Exhibition of The American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR), held in Portland on March 15-18, 2023.

The study acquired self-reported data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. The Global Appraisal Individual Needs-Short Screener (GAIN-SS) measured mental health symptoms according to three disorder categorizations: internalizing, externalizing, and substance use.

Does Mental Illness Affect Your Oral Health Status?

Six oral health conditions were evaluated: self-rated oral health, bleeding gums, loose teeth, tooth loss, gum disease, and bone loss. A cross-sectional analysis compared the survey-weighted prevalence of six oral health outcomes according to the severity of mental health problems.

Prospectively, oral health outcomes were assessed according to Wave 4 mental health problems. Survey-weighted logistic regression models controlled for confounders (age, sex, tobacco use, etc.) with imputation for missing values.

Cross-sectionally, all six adverse oral health outcomes demonstrated a statistically significant greater prevalence over increasing severity of mental health problems. Longitudinally, associations with externalizing and substance use problems largely dissipated, but multiple associations with internalizing problems persisted.

The study concluded that providers should expect higher levels of oral disease among patients with adverse mental health conditions. Independent of externalizing and substance use problems, symptoms of internalizing problems are a plausible risk factor for future adverse oral health.

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These results may inform both medical and dental communities in diagnosing and providing treatment to individuals suffering from mental illness.

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Source-Eurekalert