You may know that your physical health can affect how you are feeling mentally – it stands to reason that if your body isn’t feeling well, your state of mind can be affected, and vice versa. But did you know this can also include your oral health?

In fact, the link between oral and mental health is a two-way association. In one direction, dental treatments can create anxiety. Some studies have found around half of all dental patients experience some anxiety about their dental visits, which can sometimes contribute to dental phobia.

In the other direction, many mental health disorders are associated with dental disease. This can be related to the nature of the disorder, such as an eating disorder eroding teeth, or the behaviour it creates, such as depression leading to a drop in health care and oral hygiene.

There can also be a positive association in this direction, too – good oral health can help improve your mental health, helping to lift self-esteem and relieve the pain and discomfort of dental conditions.

We asked Dr Greg Thomas, a dentist at Bupa Dental in Rochedale, Queensland, to explain this important connection further.

Healthy mind, healthy teeth

“People with mental health issues such as stress, anxiety and depression are more likely to suffer from dental problems,” says Dr Thomas.

In fact, one report says that people with severe mental illness have 2.7 times the likelihood of losing all their teeth compared to the general population.

One reason is that people with mental health conditions often aren’t focused on good oral health habits.

Dr Thomas says that the symptoms of mental illness, such as having low energy and self-esteem, can lead to people overlooking daily oral-hygiene habits such as brushing and flossing. He also says poor mental health can lead to poor diet choices. A reliance on convenience food that are more acidic and high in sugar with poor nutritional content can lead to a greater risk of tooth decay and weakened teeth.

On top of this, some medications prescribed for mental health issues, such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications and antipsychotic medications, often have the side effect of drying out the mouth due to reduced saliva flow.

“There is then a greater risk of tooth decay, trauma to the soft tissues of the mouth, difficulty eating dry foods like biscuits, and bad breath,” says Dr Thomas. “The oral tissues are more vulnerable to disease due to the reduction of saliva and its natural protection.”

Dental phobia

Around one in seven Australians is affected by a high level of dental anxiety – which can lead to everything from avoiding the dentist to having panic attacks in the chair, none of which is good for you or your teeth.

The result: “Minor dental issues go untreated, worsen and become severe dental infections and problems,” says Dr Thomas.

If you suffer from dental anxiety, talk to your dentist. They can empathise with nervous patients, and will have some helpful strategies to get you the treatment you need in the way that you need it.

Finally, a word about your gut

Whether or not you suffer from more serious mental health issues, we’re all affected by the health of our gut which may impact our immunity and could play a role in our mood. As many studies have shown, even mild stress could change the balance of gut bacteria, potentially making you more vulnerable to illnesses including gum disease.

“Studies have observed correlations between the health of the gut and its impact on the mouth,” says Dr Thomas. “Poor gut health where there is inflammation and leaking into the intestinal lining is correlated with worsening oral conditions such as gingivitis, periodontal disease and tooth decay.”

For good gut health you need to make sure your diet contains a good balance of probiotics and prebiotics, according to Harvard Medical School.

Yoghurt, kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut are rich in probiotics, while good prebiotics sources include fruits, vegetables and wholegrains like wheat, oats and barley.

Talk to a dentist near you

If you have any questions or would like to book in for a check up, contact your nearest Bupa dentist.