A Vulnerable Patient Group
At first consideration, it would seem that everyone is more or less equal when it comes to realizing the benefits of good oral health through proper brushing, daily flossing and regular check-ups. However, a September 2011 study from the UK reveals that compared to the general population, those with mental illness are over three times more likely to lose their teeth due to poor oral health.
A startling statistic
This is a very troubling statistic! The research involved 2784 psychiatric patients diagnosed with such illnesses as schizophrenia, dementia, bipolar disorder and other disorders. The research revealed that in addition to being 3.4 times more likely to have lost ALL their teeth, these patients were 6.2 times more likely to have decayed, filled or missing teeth.
The conclusion
The investigators in the study blamed a combination of factors for these distressing results – ranging from an inability to brush properly to the fact that some medications such as antidepressants and mood stabilizers can also reduce the flow of saliva and cause dry mouth (xerostomia), which increases plaque formation. Mentally ill patients may also be reluctant to see a dentist because of they are afraid of treatment. They concluded that although the oral health of most people has improved in much of the world, psychiatric patients remain at a disadvantage, and that oral health should be part of the standard of assessment for all patients with mental illness.
