Depression and oral health

Depression is one of the commonest mental problems affecting the general health as well as the oral health. Around 300 million people throughout the world are suffering from depression. Individuals with depression are often less motivated to maintain their oral hygiene resulting in dental caries, periodontal diseases, oral lichen planus, burning mouth syndrome etc. Patients coming to dental clinic with obvious oral problems might have undiagnosed depression. Hence, it is the dentist’s responsibility to communicate with the patients to detect any underlying psychological disorders. Proper communication will help the person to feel free to discuss about his mental state and the dentist can refer him for psychological counselling in order to regain his mental and oral health.