A new study has found that people who take antidepressants may be less likely to suffer from severe gum disease.
This unexpected finding could offer new hope for those dealing with both mental health and dental health concerns.
The research was led by María Martínez from the University Complutense in Madrid and included data from nearly 10,000 adults in the United States.
The team analyzed information from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, covering the years 2009 to 2014. This large national study collects health data from a wide range of Americans and is often used to look for trends in public health.
The researchers focused on a condition called periodontitis, also known as gum disease. It’s a common problem that affects the tissues around the teeth, leading to swelling, bleeding, and even tooth loss if not treated.
The severity of periodontitis was measured using guidelines from the American Academy of Periodontology and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
They found that about 35% of the participants had moderate gum disease, and around 11% had severe cases. Interestingly, the people who reported using antidepressants were less likely to have periodontitis, especially the more serious forms.
For those with advanced gum disease (classified as stages III to IV), the chances were about 32% lower for antidepressant users. For the most severe cases, the risk was reduced by almost 60%.
While it may seem surprising at first, experts say this connection makes sense. Dr. Ana Becil Giglio, president of the American Academy of Periodontology, explained that depression and gum disease can affect each other.
For example, people who are depressed may be less likely to take care of their teeth, while gum disease may lead to inflammation that worsens mood. This study adds a new idea—that antidepressants might actually help protect against severe gum problems.
There are a few possible explanations for this. Some antidepressants have anti-inflammatory effects, which could help reduce the inflammation linked to gum disease. Others may indirectly help by improving a person’s mood and motivation to maintain good oral hygiene, like brushing and flossing regularly.
More research will be needed to fully understand how antidepressants might affect gum health. But these findings highlight the important connection between mental and physical health. Doctors and dentists may need to consider how treating one condition could benefit the other.
This study opens the door to new ideas in how we care for patients. A medicine that helps with depression might also protect against serious dental problems. That’s good news for many people managing both mental health and oral health.
If you care about tooth health, please read studies about an important causes of tooth decay and gum disease, and common tooth disease that may increase risks of dementia.
For more health information, please see recent studies about mouthwash that may increase your tooth damage, and results showing this diet could help treat gum disease.
The study is published in Journal of Periodontology.
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