Yes, Your Oral Health and Mental Health Are Connected
Many facets of our health are interconnected and influence each other. For example, chronic stress can raise blood pressure and poor sleep can weaken the immune system. The same is true for your mouth and mind. shows that a person鈥檚 mental health can take a toll on oral health.
It's a Complex Relationship
There鈥檚 a bidirectional relationship between mental health and oral health. When someone鈥檚 mental health suffers, it can cause a decline in oral health. Conversely, unmet dental problems can lead to worsening mental health.
鈥淎ctive mental health conditions can negatively affect hygiene and oral self-care such as brushing, flossing, and eating healthy foods,鈥 explains Paul Stevens, MD, an adult and child psychiatrist at Huntsman Mental Health Institute鈥檚 Neurobehavior HOME Clinic. 鈥淕ood oral health can increase self-esteem, improve employment and school opportunities, and enhance social relationships.鈥
Mental health and oral health can influence each other in different ways. These include:
- Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a common side effect of many psychiatric medications.
- Excessive anxiety can lead to teeth grinding.
- Oral pain can cause depression or anxiety to worsen.
- Consuming an abundance of sugary foods and drinks to cope with anxiety or stress can lead to cavities or gum disease.
- Substance use disorders or eating disorders can have a negative impact on oral health.
- Conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder can make appointment management difficult.
- Dental work can trigger significant anxiety or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
That鈥檚 why the Kem and Carolyn Gardner Mental Health Crisis Care Center at Huntsman Mental Health Institute takes a whole-person approach to patient care, which includes addressing dental needs that could be intensifying mental health issues.
鈥淚 always tell my patients that they don鈥檛 have to be perfect,鈥 says Heidi Iongi, DMD, MPH, a dentist and director of community engagement and clinical integration at the University of Utah School of Dentistry. 鈥淒on鈥檛 let this be one more thing that鈥檚 making you think, 鈥極h, I鈥檓 just a failure.鈥 Little things, like swishing with mouthwash one day, will help keep the worst at bay while we take care of your mental health. Nothing is so severe that we can鈥檛 do things to improve it, so don鈥檛 be ashamed to come in and get things taken care of.鈥
The Importance of Integrated Care
Dental care is a priority when patients check in at the Crisis Care Center. Through a partnership with the University of Utah School of Dentistry, patients have easy on-site access to dental services. If oral care is determined to be impacting a person鈥檚 overall well-being, they are given the opportunity to connect with the dental clinic.
After discharge, patients can leave with referrals to continue receiving regular, long-term dental care. Having this quick and easy access to dental resources can contribute to the resolution of an acute mental health crisis鈥攁nd prevent new crises in the future.
鈥淲hen dental care is offered by a person鈥檚 mental health provider, and it鈥檚 in this safe space where they鈥檙e already getting care, it鈥檚 really meaningful for the patient,鈥 Iongi says. 鈥淎 lot of my patients at the Crisis Care Center tell me they鈥檇 like to return to our clinic for dental care because they already feel comfortable coming here and have built trust.鈥
Where to Go When You Need Mental Health Help Right Away
A mental health crisis does not always require a hospital bed, but it does require compassion and professional support. Learn how the Kem and Carolyn Gardner Mental Health Crisis Care Center offers immediate help鈥攏o appointment or referral needed.
Utah's New Mental Health Crisis Center Offers Immediate Support for Adults in Distress
You do not need to be suicidal or in psychosis to be in crisis. A mental health crisis can mean overwhelming anxiety, grief that would not lift, or a stretch of time when functioning feels impossible. Designed to be an alternative to ER visits or jail, the new Huntsman Mental Health Institute facility is open to any adult in need, no appointment required.
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