Without a doubt, infected gums cause all sorts of problems for your smile. These include bleeding and swelling of your mouth tissues, a greater risk of tooth loss, and worse. However, gum infections don’t just affect the body; they can also impact your mood. You should always prevent (or treat) them to keep your frame of mind stable. Therefore, here’s a primer on the link between gum disease and mental health.
Remind Me: What’s Gum Disease?
To see how gum disease connects to mental health, you need to grasp its basics first.
Gum disease is the infection of your gums – the pink tissues that surround your teeth. Often, it results from plaque buildup caused by a poor diet, bad oral care, and similar factors. Bacteria from such plaque can lead to the disease’s first stage, gingivitis – a slight gum inflammation. The inflamed tissues can then suffer the second stage – periodontitis – and develop a full-blown infection.
Gingivitis is reversible with treatment and good hygiene, but the same isn’t true of periodontitis. This latter form of gum disease can only be managed at best.
How Does It Impact Mental Health?
Left to itself, gum disease can deal a severe blow to one’s mental health. The condition often results in various mood disorders once it becomes severe.
This finding comes from a 2021 University of Birmingham study, which reviewed the records of over 64,000 patients with gum disease. Researchers noted that people with infected gums were more likely to develop negative moods than those without. In fact, those in the former group faced a 37% increased risk of suffering anxiety, depression, and similar issues.
The study authors believe the high risk comes from a low quality of life. According to co-study author Dr. Devan Raindi, “the consequences of periodontitis…have a psychosocial impact on an individual.”
Are There Ways to Reduce Your Risk?
To maintain a better mood, you can reduce your risk of gum disease. Just remember to do the following:
- Practice Good Oral Care: You can remove plaque that causes gum disease by cleaning your smile. So, remember to brush twice daily, floss once daily, and rinse your mouth often.
- Stick to Mouth-Healthy Meals: Sugary and fatty foods can irritate your gums and attract harmful bacteria, so have mouth-healthy items like lean proteins and leafy greens instead.
- Avoid Tobacco: Since tobacco weakens your immune system, using it can cause gum disease.
- Get Dental Checkups: When you see them for checkups, a dentist can treat your smile before gum disease has a chance to “set in.”
You shouldn’t ignore the link between gum disease and mental health. So, see your dentist for the appropriate treatment(s) as needed.
About the Practice
Sehnert Precision Dentistry is based in Lewisville, TX. Led by Dr. Phillip Sehnert, our practice has been delivering healthy and thriving smiles to patients for over 40 years. We’ve offered quality preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments throughout that time, as well as gum disease therapy. That means you can always expect precise results from our expert dental team! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (972)-634-7779.