Can Tooth Loss Cause Depression?

A study that came out of West Virginia University has found interesting and unexpected results connecting tooth loss and psychological states of being.

The study looked at information from the CDC and state health departments, looking for respondents that addressed question about depression, anxiety, and oral health. The result was a sample of 292 adults (19 years of age and older), evenly divided between male and female and from a mix of ethnicities.

The results were quite unequivocal, in that tooth loss and depression, anxiety, or a combination of the two, were significantly associated with each other.

While this information is an intriguing result, this is not to say tooth loss is the cause of the depression or anxiety, nor necessarily the other way around. But it does show correlation. One potential relationship between them could be that people suffering from depression might neglect self-care, while patients suffering from anxiety might avoid the dentist. Indeed, many psychological factors could be influencing dental health, such as self-worth, self-esteem, and access to care.

Of distinct possibility is that the two are mutually reinforcing. For example, someone suffering from a low sense of self-worth might have the feeling that caring for their teeth is an exercise in futility. The result is poor dental health, which then furthers their opinion that they are worth little.

One thing for sure is that the state of missing teeth does not need to be a burden like it once was. Advances in dental medicine has not only developed natural-looking and effective bridges and partial dentures, but also the gold standard of tooth replacements, dental implants.

Never hesitate to contact our dental implants dentist in North Hollywood to learn more about this incredible and highly effective treatment.