--- title: "The Effects of Anxiety and Depression on Oral Health" url: "https://www.newmouth.com/oral-health/anxiety-depression/" description: "What are the effects of anxiety and depression on oral health? Read on to find out and learn some oral health tips for people with anxiety and depression." --- ## Can Anxiety and Depression Affect Your Oral Health? Yes, mental health problems can lead to oral health problems. Evidence from the University of Queensland shows people with severe mental illnesses have a three-time increased risk of losing their teeth compared to the general population. This could be because many people struggle with self-care when they have anxiety or depression. The study examined 2,784 people over 20 years who were diagnosed with mental illnesses, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. People in the study were 3.4 times more likely to lose their teeth and 6.2 times more likely to have decay, need fillings, or have [missing teeth](/blog/missing-teeth/).1 ![Dry socket](/_astro/dry-socket-1024x768.BECSuQuJ_1klPvA.webp) People with anxiety are less likely to visit the dentist because of fear or stress. Therefore, their dental treatment goes untreated and more oral health issues arise. In another study, researchers reviewed data related to psychological disorders and comorbid physical illnesses. They determined that early interventions should include: - Oral health assessment - Improved oral hygiene practices - Management of iatrogenic dry mouth - Early dental referrals Additionally, researchers from Deakin University in Australia studying depressed subjects found 61 percent reported having mouth pain in the past year. More than half (57.4 percent) considered their teeth to be in fair or poor condition. ### Anxiety and Oral Health Anxiety can trigger symptoms that affect your dental health. For example, people with anxiety might experience: - [Canker sores](/oral-health/canker-sores/) - Dry mouth and [halitosis](/oral-health/halitosis/) - [Burning mouth syndrome](/oral-health/burning-mouth/) - Bruxism (grinding or clenching teeth) - [Temporomandibular joint disorders](/oral-health/tmj/) (TMD) ### Depression and Oral Health Depression also affects oral health and dental care. It makes people more likely to neglect dental health maintenance. With depression, everyday tasks like flossing or brushing teeth might feel challenging. People with depression also sometimes lose interest in taking care of themselves. This can lead to a loss of motivation to perform simple self-care tasks. Poor nutrition, another result of poor self-care practices, increases the risk of dental health problems. Additionally, depression medication has negative effects on oral health. Symptoms of some antidepressants include: - [Dry mouth](/oral-health/dry-mouth/) - [Trouble swallowing](/blog/hurts-to-swallow/) - [Bruxism (teeth grinding)](/oral-health/bruxism/) ### Other Mental Illnesses That Affect Dental Health Anxiety and depression are not the only mental illnesses that affect dental health. Others include: - Eating disorders, especially bulimia - Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) - Schizophrenia - Psychosis - Self-harm ## Overview of Anxiety and Depression Anxiety and depression are two common mental health issues that often go hand-in-hand. Anxiety manifests as excessive worry or fear. Depression causes ongoing feelings of hopelessness. Both conditions are also linked to poor oral health issues. It’s common for someone with anxiety and/or depression to develop problems like [tooth decay](/oral-health/effects/tooth-decay/) and [gum disease](/oral-health/gum-disease/) because they neglect their dental health. An important part of handling mental health issues is learning to care for your health, despite the daily changes that accompany depression and anxiety. ## What is Anxiety? There are different types of anxiety disorders. All of them can affect oral health. Some anxiety disorders, like social anxiety disorder (social phobia), are linked to specific circumstances, such as being in public or having to socialize. Others are types of phobias that occur when a specific trigger causes anxiety. The most common type is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD occurs when someone experiences a bout of excessive worry most days for at least 6 months. Often, there is no specific trigger. Common symptoms of anxiety include: - Feelings of restlessness or nervousness - Feelings of impending danger or doom - Rapid breathing - Sweating - Trembling - Fatigue or weakness - Dizziness - Increased heart rate - Muscle tension - Insomnia - Difficulty concentrating - Gastrointestinal problems - Inability to control worry - Urge to avoid anxiety triggers There is no one specific cause of GAD. However, some causes might include: - Genetic predisposition - Certain drugs - Alcohol use disorder (AUD) - Abnormal brain functioning - Exposure to traumatic or stressful events ## What is Depression? Depression is a mood disorder. It causes feelings of sadness and hopelessness. There are different types of depression, including: - **Major depressive disorder (MDD)** — a persistent mood disorder that causes a feelings of sadness, hopeless, and loss of interest in once-loved activities - **Seasonal affective depression (SAD)** — a type of depression related to seasonal changes - **Persistent depressive disorder (PDD)** — a chronic and continuous type of depression - **Postpartum (after childbirth) depression** — a depression that occurs following childbirth that goes beyond the usual “baby blues” most women experience There is no one specific cause of depression. However, some of the things that increase a person’s risk of developing depression include: - Genetic predisposition - Chronic stress - Gender - Trauma - Poor nutrition - Lack of physical activity - Unresolved grief - Certain personality traits - Medication - Substance use Symptoms of depression include: - Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless - Angry outbursts - Irritability or agitation - Frustration - Loss of interest in things that were once enjoyed - Insomnia - Oversleeping - Fatigue - Lack of energy and/or motivation - Losing or gaining weight due to appetite changes - Anxiety - Restlessness - Slowed thinking, speaking, or body movements - Feeling of worthless or guilty - Fixating on past failures or self-blame - Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things - Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts, or completing suicide - Unexplained physical ailments ## Oral Health Tips for People with Anxiety and Depressive Disorders People with anxiety and depression can do many things to maintain their dental health, including: - Brush just before bed and one additional time during the day - Avoid sugary foods and beverages - Schedule regular dental visits - Buy a prescription toothpaste or mouth rinse to decrease risk of tooth decay - Speak with their dentist about their increased risk of dental health problems - Seek appropriate mental health support and treatment ## Resources for Anxiety and Depression Several organizations provide support and education for people struggling with anxiety and/or depression. For example: - [National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)](https://www.nami.org/who-we-are/) - [Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)](https://adaa.org/) - [National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)](https://www.nimh.nih.gov)