Losing Teeth & Mental Health
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 3rd January 2022
The rapidly aging population is a great concern for bad oral health and tooth loss is one that can cause a lot of detriment to not only a patient’s oral health and function but also their mental health. An increase in mental health needs across the nation is also a cause for concern when it comes to the oral health of these people. Losing a tooth can impact the mental health of a person, which can then cause their oral hygiene to worsen and lead to further mental health struggles; a vicious cycle can begin for these patients.
Mental Health in Young People
It is well known that young people’s mental health has become a greater publicised matter over the last decade with links to social media and increasing global issues being damned as causes for this. Young Minds states that 1 in 6 children aged five to sixteen were classed as suffering with a probable mental health issue and 80% of young people with mental health needs agree that COVID-19 has worsened their mental health.[i] A review showed that people with mental illness are over 3 time more likely to lose their teeth[ii] and the NHS’ oral health survey for children revealed that 46% of fifteen-year olds had obvious decay in their adult teeth.[iii] The growth in mental health concerns for young people and the link to bad oral health that can come with this means the concern for young people’s future tooth loss is greater than before.
Concerns for the Elderly
As the population has aged the oral hygiene of the older people has become more complex. Missing teeth play an important role in the overall health of a person. As elderly people are more vulnerable to illness and fast decline, the consequences of losing teeth are a significant concern for dentists. Missing teeth can affect the masticatory function of a person therefore affecting nutritional intake. Of course, this can affect patients of all ages but as the elderly are more likely to lose teeth due to certain side effects from medication (that are more likely taken by the elderly), for instance, it is important to be aware of the significance of oral health and psychological wellbeing. The effects of tooth loss can also change the quality of life a person has; psychological problems can occur such as low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. In 2019, the Samaritans reported that 392 people over the age of 76 died by suicide[iv] which suggests that mental health needs are something that a significant proportion of elderly people experience. This is not necessarily due to tooth loss but as mental and oral health intertwine the longevity of an elderly patient’s teeth must be a priority.
Supporting Your Patients
As a dentist, supporting patients with mental health needs is expected when in relation to oral health. Dentists are not permitted to diagnose or council mental health problems but having the knowledge to support patients correctly is a great start. The NHS provides mental health services that can be accessed through a GP, private mental health care is available for those who can afford it, and organisations like The Samaritans are always a phone call away for people who may fall into crisis are just a few suggestions you could share with a patient if ever necessary.
As well as advising patients on where to turn for support, you may find that some patients’ mental health struggles are exacerbated by visiting the dentist. Some people have anxiety surrounding medical appointments and others even have a serious fear of the dentist. There are some ways in which you can support a patient in this instance. Of course, being friendly, welcoming, and chatting with a patient will always put them at ease but sometimes other methods will be needed. Sedation and gas and air are known techniques used to relax a patient.[v] Throughout the appointment process talking to your patient softly about what they are experiencing and they should expect will aid them in relaxing further.
A patient’s mental health can also be supported through the high-quality products you use during their treatment. Due to the complexity of dental implants you want to be able to offer your patients a process that is as smooth as possible. With Anthogyr, a Straumann Group Brand, you can offer your patients implants from a company that is dedicated to high tech expertise. With over 70 years’ experience and a passion for daring and dynamic concepts in dental implantology the Anthogyr implants will ease your patient’s minds. As well as offering you a product that is completely compatible between bone and tissue level procedures.
On the whole the mental health of your patients is more than likely something that you will become involved with throughout your working life. As the population will continue to age and mental health becomes more widely spoken about, it is important to consider the optimum products that will support your patients oral health and mental well-being where necessary.
For more information and to book your Anthogyr Test Drive, visit www.anthogyr-uk.co/testdrive
[i] “Our Impact and Reports | Mental Health Charity.” YoungMinds, July 2020, www.youngminds.org.uk/about-us/reports-and-impact/.
[ii] Kisely, Steve, et al. “Advanced Dental Disease in People with Severe Mental Illness: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” British Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 199, no. 3, Sept. 2011, pp. 187–193, 10.1192/bjp.bp.110.081695.
[iii] “Child Dental Health Survey 2013, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.” NHS Digital, 19 Mar. 2015, digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/children-s-dental-health-survey/child-dental-health-survey-2013-england-wales-and-northern-ireland.
[iv] “Latest Suicide Data.” Samaritans, 2020, www.samaritans.org/about-samaritans/research-policy/suicide-facts-and-figures/latest-suicide-data/. Accessed 23 Sept. 2021.
[v] “Relaxation and Sedation.” Oral Health Foundation, www.dentalhealth.org/relaxation-and-sedation. Accessed 23 Sept. 2021.
