The big picture:Dr. Puja Uppal says: “Taking care of your teeth can have a positive impact on your life.”
in the news: New data continues to show that dental health is tied to mental health & physical health.
The key point: COVID and our current economic issues have caused a dramatic reduction in the amount of dental care people are practicing in Texas. This can lead to a worsening profile for future dementia risk and poor mental health outcomes. Not good!
You should know: Losing your teeth should be a huge concern for you and your healthcare team.
Did you know that 22.7% of adults living in McLennan County have depression? 19.0% of adults in McLennan County say they smoke?
The good news here is that you can take preventive steps to avoid tooth loss.
Next Steps: Since dental care is expensive you should know that many clinics in McLennan County offer reduced prices for routine dental care. (Visit the Resource)
Doctor’s Insight about Dental Health and Physical Health
Can smoking cause tooth loss?
Yes! Smoking reduces blood flow in and around your teeth and prevents proper healing. This can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and eventual tooth loss.
Smoking narrows your blood vessels, including those in the gums. This reduced blood flow leads to a decreased supply of oxygen and nutrients to the gum tissue. This impairs your gum’s ability to heal and maintain a healthy environment for your teeth.
Visit a dentist regularly. Wear a night guard and manage your anxiety to prevent chronic tooth grinding and TMJ problems.
Keep an eye on your blood sugar levels. Keep an eye on your A1c values. And if you have chronic dry mouth–understand that this can worsen your dental health. Take preventative steps now. Talk to your healthcare team!
What 3 diseases are associated with tooth loss?
Dementia: Tooth loss may contribute to the development of dementia due to chronic inflammation caused by gum disease and tooth decay. This inflammation can trigger a response in the brain and lead to cognitive decline.
Heart Disease: Chronic inflammation from gum disease and dental decay can spread throughout the body, including blood vessels, contributing to atherosclerosis. This condition increases the risk of heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.
Chronic Headaches and Jaw Pain/Bone Loss: Missing teeth can cause an imbalance in your bite, leading to excessive pressure on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This results in headaches and jaw pain. Additionally, tooth loss can cause the jawbone to break down, leading to facial collapse, speech problems, and even limited use of dental implants.
Overuse of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can lead to severe headaches that significantly affect an individual’s quality of life.
In McLennan County, the average life expectancy is 77.1 years of age.
12.0% of adults have diabetes. 34.3% of you have high blood pressure. And, 28.2% of you lack health insurance.
All of these variables can impact your dental and mental health.
“Studies have shown that mental health and oral health may be correlated, with associations demonstrated between mental health problems and tooth loss, periodontal disease, and tooth decay. The COVID-19 pandemic had alarming implications for individuals’ and communities’ mental and emotional health .” (Primary Source)
“There is a paucity of research on the association between poor mental health and poor oral health status. However, a few studies in this area shed light on possible underlying reasons for this association. Low prioritization of oral health, low recognition of the association between poor oral and mental health by healthcare providers, and lack of alternative service models in dental settings for those with heightened fear and anxiety and/or mental health problems have been identified as some of the underlying reasons for this association [1, 2].” (Ibid)
Dental Health in Texas
Below is a chart that shows the percentage of adults in each county of Texas who’ve lost their teeth. The data are sobering because so many of our neighbors are struggling with something that we often don’t consider or think about–unmet dental health.
The Health Standard Newswire. Data/CDC
TheJournals Frontiers in Oral Health published the paper: Association Between Mental Health and Oral Health Status and Care Utilization (Read it Here)
The Health Standard Newswire
