Tooth Loss, Anxiety and Depression: A Viewpoint

Abstract

Loss of teeth may be due to dental caries or periodontitis. Congenitally missing teeth and trauma may be other reasons. The absence of teeth in the oral cavity affects the individual’s esthetic factor, speech and mastication. More than ten to twelve teeth missing has a profound effect on the mental health of a person.
On the other hand, an individual with a mental disorder is not in the condition to take care of his dental hygiene thus making the oral hygiene even worse and so also the mental health deteriorates.
Oral health and mental health clinicians need to collaborate to reduce the burden of health-related disorders in this arena.