Delta Dental recently released their Senior Mental and Oral Health Report. This survey of over 1,000 older Americans found an “inextricable link” between older adults’ mental and oral health, with mental health challenges contributing to a lack of oral care. If dental care is neglected, then it can create a vicious circle and exacerbate feelings of depression.
According to Dr. Daniel Croley, Delta Dental’s Chief Dental Officer, “Our mouth can serve as a window to our mental health. What we learned from key findings in the survey is that there is a clear connection between oral health habits and mental well-being. Depression often leads to poor dental hygiene which only worsens feelings of despair.”
The survey was conducted in April of 2023 and yielded some other interesting results. For instance, 37% of the respondents indicated that tooth pain will intensify their depression or feelings of loneliness and hopelessness. Additionally, 35% said they’re more likely to skip basic home care when they’re depressed.
Furthermore, respondents shared that nearly half are more likely to notice changes in their mood when experiencing dental pain or discomfort, regardless of their mental health status.
There is also a cosmetic component to the phenomenon. In other words, the respondents simply did not feel as confident about their teeth and as a result it had deleterious effects on their mental health. For instance, one in four feels negatively about themselves when brushing and flossing because they don’t like the way their teeth look.
Additionally, smiling can “trick” your brain to feel a sensation of happiness, and 80% of respondents said the simple act of smiling could make them feel happier. However, if they are not feeling confident about the state of their oral health and teeth, then they are far less likely to smile and enjoy all the benefits of that action. For example, over 36% respondents indicated they smile less than they did when they were young due to deteriorating oral health or teeth.
This means that good oral health is absolutely vital for the overall health and wellness of patients, especially older Americans.
At CoPower, we believe in holistic solutions for total wellness. Contact your Amwins Connect Sales Representative to learn more about our bundled benefit offerings with comprehensive dental solutions.
CoPower offers Delta Dental options as employee benefit solutions.