Author: savannadental

Patients with Dementia are at a higher risk of oral health problems. Therefore, they should be prioritizing their oral health. But a research team has looked to see if patients receive the oral healthcare they need, and if they look after their own oral health. In concerning results, they found that oral health is commonly ignored and overlooked in this vulnerable population.

Dementia is a debilitating condition that impacts multiple areas of the lives of those suffering. It involves memory problems and physical issues.

While suffering with dementia is difficult enough, new research has found that dementia patients routinely have their oral health needs overlooked [1].

This concerning finding suggests that significant work needs to be done to ensure that dementia patients receive oral healthcare, which can boost their overall health.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a syndrome that is associated with ongoing cognitive decline, worsening brain functioning, and physical health issues [2].

Dementia impacts the way someone thinks, sees, feels, remembers and behaves [2]. It is difficult for the person with the condition, as well as their loved ones.

Dementia is a common condition. The study that will be discussed took place in the United Kingdom. In the UK, 1 in 11 people aged over 65 has Dementia.

Research has also shown a connection between poor oral health and an increase in the chance of the onset of dementia in later life [3]. This underlines the importance of looking after our oral health.

The Research

This research was completed by a triumvirate of English universities. The University of Portsmouth, King’s College London and Queen Mary University worked in collaboration for the research, which was published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry [1].

The study involved the research team analyzing Care Act assessments for patients with dementia who live at home whilst receiving family support and/or paid care services [1]. This is opposed to someone receiving treatment in a specialized care home or medical facility.

The researchers interviewed caregivers, home-care workers and home-care managers. Moreover, assessments were reviewed, with the aim of seeing how many involved oral health.

Unfortunately, they found that oral hygiene was rarely addressed in these assessments. Therefore, the team pointed out that oral hygiene is essentially forgotten about, and in many cases, not recorded [1].

The team wanted to know why this was the case. During the interviews, they found some common themes. They were told that declining understanding, memory problems and physical disabilities all impacted their ability to complete oral health tasks themselves [1].

Furthermore, the problems were worsened due to inadvertent errors from those caring for the patients – typically caused by limited time, a lack of training and poor communication [1].

However, those being interviewed did show a good understanding of the importance of oral health – which was positive.

The research team put together free checklists that can be used by social workers and home care providers. These checklists were developed in association with experts in dementia and dental care [1].

The checklists feature a list of activities or tasks that each patient should complete. For instance, it includes brushing teeth, using mouthwash, flossing, and attending regular dental check-ups.

Author Comments

The results of the research are concerning to the authors. The research shows that an already vulnerable population is missing out on important oral healthcare.

Dr. Dia Soilemezi from the University of Portsmouth’s Department of Psychology has said that “good mouth and teeth care is important for people living with dementia in their own homes because they are at higher risk of dental problems and may find it difficult to report pain or discomfort” [4].

Continuing, Soilemezi underlines the wider impact of neglecting oral health, saying that “poor oral health not only influences physical health but also impacts self-esteem, dignity, nutrition and quality of life, so it needs to be taken seriously” [4].

Currently, the situation is not being taken seriously. Many dementia patients are seeing their oral health worsen by the day. It is important for policy makers to be aware of these findings, and for them to act to improve the situation.

The checklists put forward by the researchers are helpful. If these checklists are followed, it should result in oral healthcare being a priority for patients, resulting in an improvement in their dental health and overall quality of life.

Looking after oral health is crucial for everyone. But in more vulnerable patients like those with dementia, it is even more important. Therefore, increasing focus on the oral health of dementia patients is vital.

Thinking points…

1) As discussed earlier, research has shown there is a connection between poor oral health and an increased likelihood of having dementia in later life. Therefore, looking after your oral health can boost your chances of avoiding this condition. Remember to attend regular dental check-ups, as these provide a dentist with the chance to look at your oral health and provide advice. We recommend booking an appointment now!

2) Do you know anyone with dementia? The findings of this research are important – especially for those with the condition. Therefore, you could explain this article to them, or share this article with your social network. Increasing awareness of this situation can help to make policy makers aware of the need for change. Why not share the article now?

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!

References

[1] Soilemezi, D., Wantonyi, K., Hill, V., & Manthorpe, J. (2023). Views of homecare staff and carers on oral needs and dental care for people living with dementia: A qualitative study. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 38 (12): e6039. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.6039.

[2] NHS. (2023). About dementia. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/about/. Last accessed: 23rd March 2024.

[3] Kiuchi, S., Cooray, U., Kusama, T., Yamamoto, T., Abbas, H., Nakazawa, N., Kondo, L., Osaka, K., & Aida, J. (2022). Oral Status and Dementia Onset: Mediation of Nutritional and Social Factors. Journal of Dental Research. 101 (4): p420-427. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345211049399.

[4] University of Portsmouth. (2024). Mouth and dental care for people with dementia often overlooked, study finds. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-08-mouth-dental-people-dementia-overlooked.html. Last accessed: 9th August 2024.

Oral health is known to be strongly associated with our physical health. Yet many are unaware of the connection between oral health and our mental health. However, a link between these two areas does exist. There are several factors in place that mean those with mental health problems often have poor oral health.

The link between oral health and overall physical health is well-known. However, a connection that many are unaware of concerns oral health and mental health.

With discussions and awareness of mental health becoming more entrenched in society, many are seeing how their mental wellbeing impacts oral health [1].

There are a range of reasons why people with poor mental health may have an increased chance of having oral health problems.

Mental health

Mental health problems impact huge numbers of people around the world. For example, the World Health Organization found in 2019 that 970 million people were living with a mental disorder [2]. The Covid-19 pandemic is likely to have exacerbated this.

The most common conditions are Depression and Anxiety. More severe mental health conditions include Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia.

Mental health disorders impair the day-to-day lives of many in multiple ways. This includes impacting employment, relationships with family and friends, and an ongoing risk of premature death.

Moreover, many have pointed towards a link between mental health and oral health. There are several reasons why this connection may exist.

Mental health and oral health research

Significant research has taken place looking at the connection between mental health and oral health. Findings have consistently found a link between them.

For example, research has found that those with depression and anxiety – the two most common mental health conditions – have a higher chance of tooth loss, and visiting dental clinics less [3].

Research has also indicated that patients in mental health hospitals do not unfortunately see dentists regularly [4]. This means that any problems they have may go unnoticed, causing long-term problems.

This is backed up by dentists. Chicago-based dentist Suhail Mohiuddin has estimated that around 15-20% of his patients have had a mental health condition that has impacted their oral health [1].

Then there are bigger factors at play. For instance, during Covid-19, routine dentistry around the world was suspended. This coincided with many people developing mental health conditions.

Therefore, hundreds of millions of people missed out on dental appointments, with many of these having mental health problems. The industry continues to gradually recover.

It is also apparent that for some people with anxiety, leaving their house can be a challenging experience. This can mean that making it to a dental clinic for a check-up can be very difficult.

Additionally, some people have an active phobia of the dentist. They may feel unable to attend the dentist, which can worsen their oral health.

For those that are out of work due to their mental health, they may struggle to afford dental care. This can be a major barrier to receiving oral healthcare.

Furthermore, those that have not visited the dentist in many years may be conscious of being judged by a dentist over the state of their teeth. This can be linked to poor self-esteem – resulting in a negative cycle developing.

Dry mouth

Antidepressant prescriptions have risen enormously over the last few decades. For example, in the United States, there was a 64% increase in the percentage of people using antidepressants between 1999 and 2014, with this number rising further in the last decade [5].

One of the most common side effects of antidepressants is dry mouth. A dry mouth results in a lack of saliva in the mouth. Saliva is crucial for regulating the acid levels of the mouth.

Therefore, due to a lack of saliva, acid and harmful bacteria can last for a longer period of time, doing more damage in the process.

With antidepressant usage rising, it has unsurprisingly resulted in a negative impact on oral health, with more people having a dry mouth. Chewing gum and frequently drinking water have proven to be effective ways of combatting this issue.

Ignoring toothbrushing

Anyone that has suffered from a mental health condition will be aware of how even the smallest of tasks can feel like an overwhelming challenge.

The perfect example of this is brushing your teeth. For most, brushing teeth is just a standard activity that is completed at least twice throughout the day.

However, for some, the task seems daunting, and is often ignored. This is especially the case when symptoms include a lack of energy or motivation.

When teeth are not brushed, it leaves them vulnerable to tooth decay, enamel erosion and gum disease. Cavities will often form, resulting in the need for a filling, and in some cases – a root canal procedure.

Summary

Experiencing poor mental health can be incredibly difficult. For sufferers, it can seem that recovery is not possible. But with the right treatment and support, better mental wellbeing is possible.

It appears that work is needed to provide a more cohesive treatment approach that involves both mental and oral health. With both areas expected to continue to affect large amounts of the population, hopefully action will be taken soon.

On social media, there are several people that have shared their experiences about mental health and its impact on oral health. Many users suggest setting goals and repeating positive affirmations can have a positive impact [1].

There is certainly a clear link between mental health and oral health. In the future, hopefully we will see improvements in both areas.

Thinking points…

1) As discussed above, some people have not attended the dentist for a few years. As a result, they may be afraid of visiting a dental clinic. However, here at Savanna Dental, we always welcome new patients at our Calgary dental clinic! We will be happy to discuss your situation, and provide treatment if needed. You can read more about us at our website – https://savannadentalclinic.ca!

2) If you, or someone you know, is going through a difficult time mentally, you’ll know about how difficult it can be to complete everyday tasks. However, try to prioritize attending the dentist if possible. This will aid your oral health, which can consequently have a positive impact on your overall health. Any issues can be identified, with treatment possible. We recommend booking an appointment now!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!

References

[1] Lee, C. (2024). How Depression Can Affect Dental Hygiene. Available: https://time.com/7001852/mental-health-impacts-dental-health/. Last accessed: 26th July 2024.

[2] World Health Organization. (2024). Mental Health. Available: https://www.who.int/health-topics/mental-health#tab=tab_2. Last accessed: 26th July 2024.

[3] Okoro, C. A., Strine, T. W., Eke, P. I., Dhingra, S. S., & Balluz, L. S. (2012). The association between depression and anxiety and use of oral health services and tooth loss. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. 40 (2): p134-144. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.2011.00637.x.

[4] Scrine, C., Durey, A., & Slack-Smith, L. (2017). Enhancing oral health for better mental health: Exploring the views of mental health professionals. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. 28 (1): p178-186. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.12307.

[5] Winerman, L. (2017). By the numbers: Antidepressant use on the rise. Available: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/11/numbers. Last accessed: 26th July 2024.

Recent research has looked to see if there is a connection between enhanced oral health support from a primary care clinician and the frequency of visits to the dentist. While most children visit a primary care clinician, not everyone goes to the dentist. A research team sought to find out if this could be changed through more oral health support during primary care visits.

New research has looked at a potential relationship between enhanced oral health support from a primary care clinician and the frequency of visits to the dentist [1].

This is an interesting combination, with these two areas having never been studied together before. While they both represent healthcare visits, more people visit primary care clinicians than dental clinics.

Such subject areas are very important, as more work is needed to help improve the state of oral health in children.

Background

Primary care pediatric clinicians refer to health workers that offer first-contact care. Pediatric clinicians are those that work with children.

Parents often take their children to primary care pediatric clinicians for things like general queries, minor injuries or childhood vaccinations.

However, not everyone visits the dentist. For example, research shows that approximately 81% of American children aged 1-17 go to the dentist [2]. While this is a high number, this still means a large number do not visit.

The oral health of children is always a key topic. This is especially the case for children from low-income households, with research showing they are at a higher risk of oral health problems.

For example, one study found that 17% of preschool-aged children from low-income households have untreated cavities in their baby teeth. This is three times more than children from higher-income families [3].

By having strong attendance at dental clinics during childhood, it can help children to build long-term positive habits. Therefore, improving attendance is a key goal for health organizations.

The Research

The research was undertaken by a team at the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine. Their findings were published in JAMA Network Open [1].

The authors of the study noted that nearly all children at some point will see a primary care clinician [1]. Therefore, they wanted to see if they could use these visits to promote oral health.

63 pediatric clinicians were recruited. These clinicians were provided with oral health-related education and skills training – which included identifying signs of decay in children’s teeth, navigating an electronic health record, advising parents, and providing a dental referral [1].

The study involved 1,023 children. These participants and their parents were followed over a three-year period. These children were all enrolled in Medicaid, with most coming from a low-income family [1].

About half of the children received a standard medical wellness visit. The other half received a medical wellness service, but were also provided with an oral health intervention [1]. These visits followed the same pattern over a three-year period.

At the end of the three years, the researchers asked if the children had been to see the dentist. The results showed that 52% of children that had received the oral health intervention had visited a dentist. However, in the group that just received the standard service, only 43% of children had visited the dentist [1].

Therefore, the researchers were able to conclude that children who receive oral health intervention during a wellness visit are 34% more likely to visit the dentist [1].

This represents a large number, and underlines the effectiveness of oral health being discussed by primary care clinicians.

Moreover, those that had received the oral health advice had fewer untreated decayed teeth compared to their counterparts [1]. Therefore, there are clearly a range of benefits.

Summary

Overall, the researchers found that when primary care clinicians were able to talk to parents about oral health, dental visits subsequently increased [1].

The researchers suggested that improving childhood dental attendance could help to reduce untreated tooth decay and oral health disparities in disadvantaged communities [1].

A key takeaway from the research is that pediatric clinicians should be trained to talk about oral health in more detail, as it clearly has a positive impact.

It also underlines the importance of integrating oral and physical health advice together. There is a clear link between oral and physical health.

On this idea of integration, Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque – Deputy Director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research – says that “by bridging these disciplines, dental and medical providers can work better together to reach all children” – which can help “to improve children’s health” [4].

Primary care clinicians can certainly have a positive impact on the oral health of children. Hopefully, enhanced training can take place, which can benefit the health of many children.

Thinking points…

1) Do you have children? If so, remember it is crucial to visit the dentist regularly! As discussed earlier, taking children to the dentist from a young age can help them to instil strong habits which can boost their long-term oral health. Therefore, we recommend that they see a dentist regularly. You could book an appointment for them now!

2) Remember that it isn’t just children that need to receive regular oral healthcare! It is very important that adults attend regular dental check-ups. These provide the chance for a dentist to take a look at your oral health, look for any issues, and provide treatment if needed. We recommend that you book an appointment now!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!

References

[1] Nelson, S., Albert, J. M., & Selvaraj, D. (2024). Multilevel Interventions and Dental Attendance in Pediatric Primary Care. JAMA Network Open. 7 (7): e2418217. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.18217.

[2] National Center for Health Statistics. (2021). Dental Care Utilization Among Children Aged 1–17 Years: United States, 2019 and 2020. Available: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db424.htm. Last accessed: 12th July 2024.

[3] McMains, V. (2024). Dental Visits Increase with Support from Pediatric Providers. Available: https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/news-events/nidcr-news/2024/dental-visits-increase-support-pediatric-providers. Last accessed: 12th July 2024.

[4] Case Western Reserve University. (2024). Dental visits found to increase with support from pediatric providers. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-07-dental-pediatric.html. Last accessed: 12th July 2024.