The CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit organization of excellence focused on creating a more accessible, equitable and integrated oral health system. It released a new report at the Mental Health Awareness Month, highlighting the growing link between mental health and oral health.
„The improvement in patients” mood becomes evident as dental problems are resolved. Most professionally satisfying is the smile with which patients leave the practice at the end of treatment." Dr. Christian Marmandiu, Swiss Ecodent Clinic
The new report, which is based on a massive volume of research from the CareQuest Institute's CareQuest study, entitled Oral Health Equity in America in 2022, as well as other significant literature, highlights 8 findings showing how oral health is connected to mental health. For example, depression is directly related to poor oral hygiene, too few dental office visits, and other oral health problems.
„It is known that depression can significantly affect both a person's comfort level and overall body functioning,” says Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, President and CEO of CareQuest Oral Health Institute.
„During Mental Health Awareness Month, we are presenting a large body of research highlighting that our emotional state is also correlated with our oral state, and why it is so important to integrate oral health into overall health strategies.”
The eight findings from the CareQuest Institute, as well as other expert writing, include:
- Adults who are severely depressed are twice as likely to report missing brushing at least twice in one day.
- Depressed adults report flossing significantly less than non-depressed adults.
- Adults who are depressed significantly reduce their dental appointments compared to those who are not depressed.
- Adults with poor health (including depression) are prone to one or more unmet dental needs and are less likely to seek help for them.
- Depression is associated with high levels of tooth decay.
- Gum disease (periodontitis) is associated with higher depression scores.
- Depression scores are higher in people with temporomandibular joint problems - i.e. chronic pain in both the face and jaw - compared to those without temporomandibular joint problems.
- Young adults with a history of depression are more likely to receive narcotic treatment after having a wisdom molar removed than those without depression.
