There are many conditions we can identify during a visual examination of your oral cavity, even if you don't know you suffer from them. This includes mental health problems such as depression. Recent studies suggest that depression conclude depression is closely related to poor oral health.
During routine dental examinations and cleanings, dentists can detect oral symptoms of stress, including orofacial pain, bruxism, temporomandibular disorders (TMJ), mouth sores and gum disease. If you're feeling tense or anxious, you should keep a watchful eye for signs of the following stress-related disorders.
“Dentists are very willing to help,” says Dr. Albers. “They've seen signs and symptoms of conditions before. And a dentist and therapist working together can help you to work on your mental health issues, and protect your oral health and overall health.”
In many cases, a dentist may be the first health care provider to diagnose a health problem in its early stages since many people have regular oral examinations and see their dentist more often than their physician.
Patients with depression are at increased risk of dental caries due to oral hygiene neglect, preference for carbohydrates due to reduced serotonin levels, and drug-induced xerostomia. * Recommend brushing teeth with a fluoride containing dentifrice before bedtime.
Tell your dentist what's going on.
Many people are understandably reluctant to share information about their mental state with their dentists. But it's important your dentist understand why you may be having trouble focusing on something like brushing your teeth.
Your oral and mental health are more closely connected than you might realize. Mental health disorders can lead to some coping habits, like smoking, that have a negative impact on oral health. Some people with mental health problems may also avoid or stop going to the dentist.
"Often, diseases like cancer, anemia and diabetes will first be identified by the dentist in a regular examination, and this saves lives." And it's not just diseases—dentists can discover everything from your bad habits to your favorite beverages simply by asking you to say, "Ahh!"
Your mouth can tell you a lot about the health of your body. The mouth shows signs of tooth decay, gum disease and other oral health problems. It can also show signs of other disease, if you're missing certain foods from your diet and unhealthy habits such as using tobacco and tobacco-like products, and alcohol.
There are many conditions we can identify during a visual examination of your oral cavity, even if you don't know you suffer from them. This includes mental health problems such as depression. Recent studies suggest that depression conclude depression is closely related to poor oral health.
According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, almost two-thirds of people with depression reported having a toothache in the last year — significantly higher than the population on average.
Some of the main issues for those suffering with mental illness include: Neglect: Research has shown that those suffering from mental illnesses tend to avoid dental care so much that their oral hygiene is neglected. This can result in gum disease and tooth decay.
Experiencing stress can be the cause of many teeth, mouth, gum or jaw problems, but experiencing oral health problems can lead to more stress which then exacerbates the problems. It's therefore crucial to deal with the sources of stress in your life before they can have a chance to impact on your oral health.
'” Usually, dental patients in pain or the throes of anxiety will close their eyes. That's not a problem, dentists say, unless they're tensing up the rest of their faces, too.
Teeth grinding
Stress can make you clench and grind your teeth anytime of the day, without you even realizing it. Your dentist will be able to see signs of clenching and teeth grinding during your examination. If you already clench or grind your teeth when you're not stressed, this can make the habit worse.
When the dentist rubs your jaw, or feels around your jaw and asks if you feel any pain, they are checking for oral cancer. The same is true when the dentist looks at your tongue. Examining patients for oral cancer is a routine part of any dental exam, and an important one!
Your dentist will inspect your face, neck, lips, and mouth to look for signs of cancer. With both hands, he or she will feel the area under your jaw and the side of your neck, checking for lumps that may suggest cancer.
During an oral exam, you may notice your dentist checking your tongue. This is an important part of your routine check-up, as the tongue can provide your dentist with a better understanding of both your oral health and overall health.
As health professionals, dentists aren't interested in judging you or making you feel bad. All they really care about is your oral health. Rather than worrying about what they might think of you on a personal level, think of dentists as partners who are on your side and working to protect your oral health.
If your teen is over 18, or legally an adult, their dentist won't be able to tell anyone, including you, because of HIPAA and patient-doctor confidentiality.
Similarly to flossing, your dental team will also be able to tell if you don't brush your teeth often enough or even if you brush too hard. Those who don't brush the recommended two times a day will often have larger areas of tartar buildup and puffy, red gums.
The effects of anxiety on oral health
If you're currently feeling anxious and overwhelmed by stress, you might experience these oral conditions: Canker sores. Dry mouth. Lichen planus (lacy white lines, red areas or mouth ulcers on the cheek, gums or tongue)
Oral anxiety is the stress effects on oral health. Stress or anxiety can impact your oral health; when you are stressed, your immune system is compromised, and while the cause of canker sores is not proven, there is some correlation or higher likelihood between lowered immune and those nasty painful canker sores.
Dental anxiety is fear, anxiety or stress associated with a dental setting. Being scared to visit the dentist can result in delaying or avoiding dental treatment. Things like needles, drills or the dental setting in general can trigger dental anxiety.