Mental Health Issues Are Common
If you or someone you love struggles with mental illness, you are one of many who struggle with this burden. In the U.S. alone mental illness and disorders are higher than ever and are the leading cause of illness and disability. In fact, about 1 in every 4 adults have a mental condition in the U.S. Typically, this mainly involves anxiety or depression with 1 in 17 citing a serious form of mental illness.
And it’s not just adults either. We are finding mental health disorders afflicting children and adolescents are climbing alarmingly. Even back in 2010, 1 in 5 children in our country suffered from a mental health disorder, the most common being attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and more frequently people of all ages fight multiple mental health issues. Bear in mind these statistics are even great now, thanks to the current pandemic.
Changes will come, but it will take time. Unfortunately, that still doesn’t take away from the fact that a person’s mental health is vital to their:
-Well being and overall health
-Family and interpersonal relationships
-Ability to live productive lives
In our office, we have seen a rising number of children and adolescents facing mental health disorders. Left untreated, they are at greater risk for a variety of unhealthy behaviors that are taking a toll on their oral health, and for some, seeing a total lack of oral health care all around.
Mental Health And Physical Health
But mental health doesn’t just impact someone’s smile. It is also linked to serious illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Untreated mental illness can leave people with high psychosocial and economic costs. This cost extends to the families, schools, workplaces, and communities of those related to the person.
How Can You Help?
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with a mental illness, there are steps you can take to support your oral health:
1-Speak with your loved ones about the importance of their dental health, even if it’s indirectly to help them to understand the impact. Bringing it to their attention creates awareness of the issue for them. You could, for example, mention how wonderful your mouth feels when you are done brushing your teeth.
2- Acquire some new oral health products and leave them where they will see those. Upgrade their manual toothbrush to an electric toothbrush that comes with a timer they can set to brush for two minutes. This will help them remember to brush for the recommended time to remove plaque.
3-Supply them with an alarm to remind them to brush and floss twice a day.
4- For kids and teens, you can turn brushing and flossing into a game or a competition (complete with a reward!)
5-Schedule regular, routine dental cleanings with their hygienist or dentist.
Why This Is Important
As you’ve probably already noticed, your mouth feels amazing after brushing and flossing. And while people struggling with mental illness do too, they are often so distracted by their mental condition that they don’t tend to notice how they feel, much less how their teeth and gums feel. In fact, they may not have the awareness of connection to their body. This is why bringing awareness to mental health and oral health is so important. The sooner you take good care of your smile, the better for your oral health and teeth. Remember, these are intrinsically connected to your overall health and well-being. If you are struggling to create healthy oral habits, you might find it easier to start somewhere small like brushing your teeth every day.
The good news is, many mental health disorders can be treated effectively and more and more research is focusing on how to prevent mental health disorders. If you or a loved one is beginning treatment for mental health care, remember that establishing new healthy habits are extremely helpful. Early diagnosis and treatment can lessen the burden of mental health disorders as well as any associated chronic diseases. By assessing and addressing mental health early, many Americans can lead longer, healthier lives. That is what we want for you – to live a happy, healthy and long life with a smile! That’s our part to play to keep you smiling!