How oral health affects your mental health

Many people don’t realize that oral health and mental health are connected. Conditions like depression and anxiety can harm your oral health, and in turn, poor oral health can contribute to mental health challenges. Studies have shown that people with mental health illnesses have poorer oral health than those who don’t, so understanding this relationship can improve the health of your mind and your mouth.¹

How the mind affects the mouth

Two common mental health illnesses — depression and anxiety — can make it difficult to keep up with daily dental hygiene. People struggling with anxiety and depression often feel extreme tiredness and a lack of motivation to do even basic tasks, which can make brushing and flossing feel overwhelming. When you avoid daily brushing and flossing, it can increase your chances of developing cavities and gum disease.

Mental health conditions can also encourage habits that harm oral health, such as smoking, drinking alcohol and eating a diet high in sugary foods and drinks. Some people with anxiety may also grind their teeth, which can cause jaw pain, headaches and tooth damage.

Certain medications used to treat mental health disorders may have side effects that impact oral health. For example, some antidepressants and anxiety medications can cause dry mouth, which lowers saliva production in your mouth. Since saliva helps wash away bacteria and balance acids in your mouth, not having enough saliva can raise your risk of cavities and gum disease.

How poor oral health harms mental health

Just as mental health can influence oral health, poor oral health can negatively affect your mental state. Untreated dental problems can lead to chronic pain, infections and difficulty eating — all of which can cause stress, anxiety and depression.

Your teeth are also important to your confidence and self-esteem. If you have dental problems that lead to tooth loss or yellowed teeth, you may feel a lot of negative emotions about your smile and appearance. This can cause embarrassment or even social anxiety, in extreme cases.

Tips for protecting your mouth and mind

• Keep up with at-home dental hygiene: Even on tough days, try to brush twice daily and floss once a day. Being consistent with your daily dental care goes a long way toward achieving good oral health.
• Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is essential for total health. It specifically helps your oral health by preventing dry mouth and keeping your teeth healthy.
• Eat a healthful diet: Eating nutritious foods can support both your mental and oral health.
• Seek professional support: Having a professional support team, including a dentist and mental health professional, is important. Twice yearly dental visits can help find oral health issues before they worsen. And talking to a mental health professional can help you manage anxiety and depression.
• Find ways to lessen stress: Meditation, exercise and deep breathing can reduce stress, which not only can help ease anxiety but may also prevent teeth grinding.

Iowa resources for mental health support

If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health challenges, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 if you are experiencing a mental health crisis. Qualified professionals are available 24/7 for support.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Iowa also provides resources for people experiencing a mental health crisis. Visit NAMI Iowa’s crisis info page for information on local crisis hotlines, mental health services and support groups here in Iowa.

Protecting your mental health is just as important as taking care of your oral health. By recognizing their connection, you’re taking proactive steps to improve both.

REFERENCE:

¹ National Library of Medicine 

SOURCES:

American Psychiatric Association 

Oral Health Foundation 

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A guide to different types of dental cleanings

Dental cleanings help keep your mouth healthy, and your dentist may recommend a specific type of cleaning based on your oral health needs. There are four main types of dental cleanings, and below we share what you can expect from each one.

1. Routine Cleaning

During your twice yearly preventive dental visits, your dentist or hygienist performs a routine cleaning, also known as prophylaxis. This cleaning involves removing plaque and bacteria from the surface of your teeth, which helps prevent cavities and gum disease. The visit also allows your dentist to check for other potential oral health issues, including oral cancer. 

Routine cleanings are an essential part of maintaining your overall oral health. If you see the dentist regularly, this is most likely the type of dental cleaning you’ll receive. Routine cleanings are preventive, and Delta Dental of Iowa dental insurance plans cover them at 100% when you visit an in-network dentist.

2. Full Mouth Debridement

If it has been years since your last dental visit, a routine cleaning may not be enough to clean your teeth. This is because plaque (a sticky, bacteria-filled substance) can build up and harden if left on the teeth. When plaque hardens, it becomes tartar. If you have significant plaque and tartar, your dentist may recommend a full mouth debridement. This deep cleaning removes plaque and tartar buildup often with the help of special tools, including ultrasonic devices.

Full mouth debridement is often a first treatment for gum disease. After the debridement, the dentist will reassess your gum health. If you have healthy gums, your dentist will perform a routine cleaning. If your gums need additional treatment, scaling and root planing (see more about this treatment below) may be the next step. Because full mouth debridement is considered a treatment — and not preventive like a routine cleaning — your Delta Dental of Iowa plan will cover it at a cost share. 

3. Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing are cleaning treatments for patients with mild, moderate and severe gum disease or bone loss around the teeth. Pockets near the gumline can collect bacteria, leading to inflammation and damage. Scaling removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces and below the gumline, while root planing smooths rough root surfaces to prevent further bacterial buildup and reduce inflammation. 

These procedures are usually performed over multiple visits and most use local anesthesia for patient comfort, though anesthesia is not required. Since gum disease is already present, scaling and root planing are classified as treatments, not preventive services, so Delta Dental of Iowa plans cover them with a cost share.

4. Periodontal Maintenance

After receiving treatment for gum disease, such as scaling and root planing, patients often require ongoing care known as periodontal maintenance. This type of cleaning helps manage gum disease and prevent it from worsening. 

Unlike routine cleanings, periodontal maintenance is considered a therapeutic treatment, meaning your Delta Dental of Iowa plan will often cover it at a cost share.

Regular Visits Are the Way to Go

Keeping your twice-yearly dental visits will help you avoid more intensive cleanings like full mouth debridement or scaling and root planing. You should also practice good oral hygiene at home by brushing your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily to remove plaque and food from between your teeth.

Delta Dental Plans Cover 100% of Preventive Visits 

Most Delta Dental of Iowa plans cover 100% of costs for routine cleanings at preventive dental visits when you see an in-network dentist. Regular dental visits not only keep your smile strong and clean but also allow your dentist to find and treat dental problems early. 

If it’s been a while since you’ve seen the dentist, make an appointment today. Delta Dental’s online Find a Provider tool makes it easy to find an in-network dentist near you. 

SOURCES:

Cleveland Clinic 

Colgate