Effects of Mental Illness on Oral Health: A Brief Review

Dr. Neelakshi Singhania, Dr. Puja Bansal, Dr. Deepak Bhargav

Abstract: Mental illness can negatively impact oral health in several ways. People with mental illness may neglect their oral hygiene due to lack of motivation or forgetfulness. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions such as eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder etc. can also cause stress - related oral conditions such as bruxism (tooth grinding), oral ulcers, and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ). Furthermore, some medications used to treat mental illness can have side effects that can affect the mouth, such as dry mouth, gum disease, and fungal infections. This article reviews the association between psychological disorders and oral health.

Keywords: Mental Illness, Eating Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety, Oral hygiene