Study Shows that 37% of Periodontal Patients Experience Concurrent Mental Health Conditions

Periodontal disease not only results in toothache and eating difficulties but can also contribute to the development of depression. A study conducted in the United Kingdom revealed that 37% of individuals with periodontal disease experience comorbid mental health conditions.

London, UK (Merxwire) – Health problems in the human body can manifest through one or multiple diseases. According to a report published by Medical News Today, a study from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom found that periodontal disease not only affects oral health but is also related to the development of a series of severe health problems. There is a significant correlation between periodontal disease and mental health among them. Among patients with periodontal disease, 37% also exhibit comorbid mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety.

The study used British primary care data as a database to compare the medical history of more than 60,000 adults with periodontal disease and more than 250,000 patients without periodontal disease to analyze the relationship between periodontal disease and several chronic diseases.

“It could be postulated that the consequences of periodontitis, which included halitosis (bad breath), drifting of teeth, mobility of teeth, and ultimately tooth loss, would have a psychosocial impact on an individual.” Co-study author and periodontologist Dr. Devan Raindi said in an interview with Medical News Today.

“When oral ill-health progresses, it can lead to a substantially reduced quality of life. However, until now, not much has been known about the association of poor oral health and many chronic diseases, particularly mental ill-health. Therefore, we conducted one of the largest epidemiological studies of its kind to date, using UK primary care data to explore the association between periodontal disease and several chronic conditions.” Co-first author Dr. Joht Singh Chandan explained in the press release.

Although this study was conducted in the UK, it is also common in Asia that “patients with periodontal disease have mental health conditions.”

A report by China Times in 2019 showed that in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Mr. Tsai suffered from severe periodontal disease. Because of the bad smell of his mouth, he dared not talk to his family & Friends talk and often had toothaches, which prevented him from sleeping well for 10 years. Periodontal disease caused Mr. Tsai to feel pain, affected his mental health, and even suffered from depression.

After Mr. Tsai was treated for periodontal disease, his physical and mental health gradually recovered! Mr. Tsai said: “I can now eat the foods I couldn’t eat before, and I have recovered my weight.” “I am very energetic every day, and my whole life has become more cheerful; now I know the importance of dental health.” Many cases like Mr. Tsai show that people need to pay more attention to oral health care.

On the other hand, this study from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom also found that people with gum disease have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease by 18%; the risk of type 2 diabetes has increased by 26%; the risk of other cardiometabolic disorders has increased by 7%. The researchers said that this study is currently unable to determine the relationship between the length of suffering from periodontal disease and the risk of other diseases. Periodontal disease is a chronic disease; the inflammation may also improve by paying attention to oral hygiene.