{"id":27994,"date":"2020-09-29T06:00:35","date_gmt":"2020-09-29T10:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/?p=27994"},"modified":"2023-04-03T13:25:42","modified_gmt":"2023-04-03T17:25:42","slug":"mental-health-and-oral-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/mental-health-and-oral-health\/","title":{"rendered":"A Dentist Reveals How Your Mental Health and Oral Health Are Connected"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/mental-health-and-oral-health\/#The_Link_Between_Mental_Health_and_Oral_Health\" title=\"The Link Between Mental Health and Oral Health&nbsp;\">The Link Between Mental Health and Oral Health&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/mental-health-and-oral-health\/#Eating_Disorders_and_Oral_Health\" title=\"Eating Disorders and Oral Health&nbsp;\">Eating Disorders and Oral Health&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/mental-health-and-oral-health\/#Can_infected_teeth_cause_depression\" title=\"Can infected teeth cause depression?\">Can infected teeth cause depression?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/mental-health-and-oral-health\/#How_Do_Drugs_Affect_Oral_Health\" title=\"How Do Drugs Affect Oral Health?\">How Do Drugs Affect Oral Health?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/mental-health-and-oral-health\/#Do_Prescribed_Medications_Affect_Oral_Health\" title=\"Do Prescribed Medications Affect Oral Health?&nbsp;\">Do Prescribed Medications Affect Oral Health?&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/mental-health-and-oral-health\/#Can_Stress_And_Anxiety_Cause_Mouth_Problems\" title=\"Can Stress And Anxiety Cause Mouth Problems?\">Can Stress And Anxiety Cause Mouth Problems?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/mental-health-and-oral-health\/#Final_Thoughts_About_Mental_Health_and_Oral_Health\" title=\"Final Thoughts About Mental Health and Oral Health\">Final Thoughts About Mental Health and Oral Health<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/mental-health-and-oral-health\/#References\" title=\"References\">References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>Are mental health and oral health connected? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&#8217;s look at the evidence, starting with physical health in general. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a aria-label=\"Research (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5774736\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Research<\/a> shows a clear link between good physical health and positive mental wellbeing. When you exercise, you experience a release of endorphins that makes you feel more focused. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A healthy, balanced diet also helps you manage the symptoms of <a class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/the-link-between-addiction-and-depression\/\">depression <\/a>and <a class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/what-causes-panic-attacks\/\">anxiety<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The opposite is also true: if you eat poorly, sleep rarely, and never exercise, you\u2019re more likely to develop chronic low moods and stress-induced mental illness.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Oral hygiene is an important part of your overall physical health as well. But have you ever thought about the relationship between oral hygiene and mental wellbeing? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria, both good and bad, which can make its way <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/what-is-the-brain-gut-connection\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">into your gut<\/a> and bloodstream, which has a direct effect on your emotional health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read on to learn more about the relationship between your oral health and your state of mind.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/A-Dentist-Reveals-How-Your-Mental-Health-and-Oral-Health-Are-Connected.jpg\" alt=\"A Dentist Reveals How Your Mental Health and Oral Health Are Connected\" class=\"wp-image-35922 lazyload\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/A-Dentist-Reveals-How-Your-Mental-Health-and-Oral-Health-Are-Connected.jpg\" alt=\"A Dentist Reveals How Your Mental Health and Oral Health Are Connected\" class=\"wp-image-35922 lazyload\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/A-Dentist-Reveals-How-Your-Mental-Health-and-Oral-Health-Are-Connected.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/A-Dentist-Reveals-How-Your-Mental-Health-and-Oral-Health-Are-Connected-83x125.jpg 83w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/A-Dentist-Reveals-How-Your-Mental-Health-and-Oral-Health-Are-Connected-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/A-Dentist-Reveals-How-Your-Mental-Health-and-Oral-Health-Are-Connected-150x225.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/A-Dentist-Reveals-How-Your-Mental-Health-and-Oral-Health-Are-Connected-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Dentist Reveals How Your <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/category\/mental-health\/\" title=\"Mental Health\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">Mental Health<\/a> and Oral Health Are Connected<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Link_Between_Mental_Health_and_Oral_Health\"><\/span>The Link Between Mental Health and Oral Health&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There is an explicit link between mental health and oral health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4841282\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Research shows<\/a> that those suffering from acute mental illnesses are 2.7 times more likely to experience tooth loss due to gum and decay. And, the relationship between mental and oral health is reciprocal. Poor oral health may lead to poor mental health and exacerbate already existing issues.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Research also shows that long-term oral infections can cause the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC88948\/#:~:text=These%20are%20metastatic%20spread%20of,injury%20induced%20by%20oral%20microorganisms.\" class=\"rank-math-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">metastatic spread of inflammation<\/a> around your body. As your immune system fights to protect you from pathogens, it will become weaker. A weaker immune system can lead to depression and other mental health disorders.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-click-to-tweet ub_click_to_tweet\" id=\"ub_click_to_tweet_37f2357e-2e0e-41a9-968e-e271ae577595\"><div class=\"ub_tweet\">Mental health and oral health are inextricably linked. If you suffer from poor mental health, you\u2019re more likely to develop tooth and gum-related issues.<\/div><div class=\"ub_click_tweet\"><span><i><\/i><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?&#038;text=Mental%20health%20and%20oral%20health%20are%20inextricably%20linked.%20If%20you%20suffer%20from%20poor%20mental%20health%2C%20you%E2%80%99re%20more%20likely%20to%20develop%20tooth%20and%20gum-related%20issues.&#038;url=https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/mental-health-and-oral-health\/&#038;via=counselorinsite\">Click to Tweet<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4986993\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Some studies<\/a> show that oral infections can lead to a decrease in cognitive function. When your neural system is negatively affected, you can experience heightened levels of apathy and anxiety.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Eating_Disorders_and_Oral_Health\"><\/span>Eating Disorders and Oral Health&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>People suffering from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/eating-disorders-in-teens\/\">eating disorders<\/a> are prone to oral health issues due to malnourishment and acid wear.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sufferers of anorexia nervosa frequently abstain from food, or strictly limit a specific food group and calories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The longer you go without food, the more likely it is that you\u2019ll experience acid reflux (or gastroesophageal reflux). This reflux occurs when your stomach acid moves back up into your throat, causing heartburn or vomiting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An increase in vomiting and the regularity of your acid reflux leads to tooth decay and erosion. The acid damages your teeth by extracting and breaking down the enamel layer\u2019s calcium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This process exposes your sensitive dentine layer to external substances, leading to tooth sensitivity, decay, and loss.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sufferers of the bulimia nervosa and rumination disorders regularly self-induce vomiting, leading to prolonged acid exposure and wearing down enamel.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4841282\/#bibr28-0706743716632523\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Research shows<\/a> that over a third of those suffering from eating disorders will experience tooth decay. People who regularly regurgitate their food and drink are over 7 times more likely to suffer from tooth decay.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s also worth noting that people with eating disorders are more likely to suffer from obsessive disorders like OCD. These disorders make them more inclined to over-brush their teeth, leading to increased levels of tooth erosion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"How Eating Disorders Can Affect Oral Health\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9kKyUfQvtn4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">How Eating Disorders Can Affect Oral Health. Courtesy, YouTube<br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_infected_teeth_cause_depression\"><\/span>Can infected teeth cause depression?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While it is not fair to say that infected teeth (i.e., gum disease) <em>cause <\/em>depression, consider it a contributing factor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6658985\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Studies show<\/a> a relationship between inflammation in the body and increased levels of depression. While many factors play a role in the development of <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/hard-lessons-about-fighting-depression\/\" title=\"clinical depression\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">clinical depression<\/a>, both are linked to increased inflammatory activation of the immune system. This in turn affects the central nervous system and can lead to mood disturbance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gum disease is a major source of inflammation, so good oral hygiene is as essential to mental wellness as exercise, sleep, and relaxation techniques such as mindfulness and yoga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interestingly, one of the many benefits of an effective anti-depressant is <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6658985\/\" target=\"_blank\">decreased levels of inflammation<\/a>, which mitigates the effects of gum disease. Still, take care of your teeth. Brushing and flossing regularly is still the best way to achieve good oral health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Do_Drugs_Affect_Oral_Health\"><\/span>How Do Drugs Affect Oral Health?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Drug and alcohol addictions are also classified as mental illnesses. Prolonged substance abuse can induce many mental health disorders, such as anxiety, <a class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/what-is-major-depression\/\">depression<\/a>, and psychosis.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/myths-about-addiction\/\" title=\"substance abuse\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">substance abuse<\/a> often acts as a comorbid illness: it accentuates and worsens an existing mental health concern. Of the 20 million US adults with substance abuse problems in 2014, it was determined that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/topics\/substance-use-and-mental-health\/index.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">approximately 8 million<\/a> also had a mental affliction.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Substance abuse is also a real concern when it comes to both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/category\/mental-health\/\">mental health<\/a> and oral health. Alcohol has a high acid content and erodes your enamel. The nicotine within your cigarettes works to loosen the lower esophageal sphincter, leading to acid reflux. Drinking too much coffee will also lead to acid reflux.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alcohol is a depressant that relaxes your muscles and impairs your cognitive function. Alcoholism can lead to chronic depression and anxiety. Research shows that depressed people are less likely to look after their teeth properly due to disinterest and apathy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_Prescribed_Medications_Affect_Oral_Health\"><\/span>Do Prescribed Medications Affect Oral Health?&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Specific forms of prescription medication <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4209628\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"may cause side effects (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">may cause side effects<\/a> that lead to tooth decay and poor oral health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Psychotropic drugs, in particular, can cause tooth and gum issues because they can limit the production of saliva, leading to xerostomia. This condition consequently causes tooth loss and gum disease.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In some cases, medication can cause bruxism (or teeth grinding). If untreated, this grinding can cause severe tooth decay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_Stress_And_Anxiety_Cause_Mouth_Problems\"><\/span>Can Stress And Anxiety Cause Mouth Problems?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Poor oral health can work to increase your overall levels of anxiety and stress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nearly half of everyone who goes to the dentist feels some heightened level of anxiety. If you\u2019re about to undergo a relatively invasive dental treatment, like dental implantation or root canal <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/category\/therapy\/\" title=\"therapy\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">therapy<\/a>, you may find your anxiety levels increasing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you already suffer from an anxiety or major depressive disorder, you may also find that even routine dental treatment is uncomfortable. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/pay-attention-to-chronic-stress\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Stress <\/a>and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-to-stop-a-panic-attack\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">anxiety disorders<\/a> may heighten the sufferer\u2019s perception of discomfort.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, you may exacerbate gum and tooth problems if you fail to see your dentist for any oral health concerns. The longer you leave a tooth or gum issue untreated, the more likely it is that you\u2019ll require substantial surgical treatment later, which increases anxiety levels.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Infrequent dental visits may also lead to more severe oral health problems like gum cancer. This type of cancer may look like gingivitis but can progress quickly and spread into other parts of your body. A diagnosis of advanced-stage cancer may lead to increased anxiety and depression.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Thoughts_About_Mental_Health_and_Oral_Health\"><\/span>Final Thoughts About Mental Health and Oral Health<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mental health and oral health are inextricably linked. If you suffer from poor mental health, you\u2019re more likely to develop tooth and gum-related issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, if you don\u2019t practice proper oral hygiene or visit your dentist, you\u2019re more likely to create and exacerbate existing mental health problems.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Making both your mental health and oral health a priority is an excellent way to help alleviate the effects of stress and anxiety-induced disorders.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a mental illness, take the time and effort to care for your teeth and gums.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-uagb-section uagb-section__wrap uagb-section__background-color uagb-block-540ad93d\"><div class=\"uagb-section__overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"uagb-section__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-call-to-action uagb-block-73105e3b wp-block-button\"><div class=\"uagb-cta__wrap\"><h5 class=\"uagb-cta__title\">Private Practice  with No Overhead and No Shortage of Clients.<br><\/h5><p class=\"uagb-cta__desc\">Join\u00a0the more than 34,000 full and part-time therapists who are earning more with BetterHelp! Supplement your income, or build your own practice from scratch. Bonuses &amp; Incentives for High Performers! <strong>Sponsored Advertisement<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"uagb-cta__buttons\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hasofferstracking.betterhelp.com\/aff_c?offer_id=20&amp;aff_id=1614\" class=\"uagb-cta__button-link-wrapper wp-block-button__link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Join BetterHelp<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"References\"><\/span>References<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4841282\/#bibr28-0706743716632523\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"rank-math-link\">No Mental Health without Oral Health<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/topics\/substance-use-and-mental-health\/index.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Substance Use and Mental Health<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4986993\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Association Between Oral Health and Cognitive Status: A Systematic Review<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC88948\/#:~:text=These%20are%20metastatic%20spread%20of,injury%20induced%20by%20oral%20microorganisms.\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Systemic Diseases Caused by Oral Infection<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyherald.com\/submitted\/20200504\/protecting-your-mental-health-can-help-your-oral-health\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Protecting your mental health can help your oral health<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.naco.org\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/oral-mental-health_06.29-v3.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"rank-math-link\">How Mental Health And Oral Health Are Connected (.pdf)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5774736\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"rank-math-link\">The relationship between physical inactivity and mental wellbeing: Findings from a gamification-based community-wide physical activity intervention<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6658985\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">The Role of Inflammation in Depression and Fatigue<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4209628\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Update knowledge of dry mouth- A guideline for dentists (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Update knowledge of dry mouth- A guideline for dentists<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The link between mental health and oral health is undeniable. In this article, we&#8217;ll examine the relationship between these two seemingly unrelated concepts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":65,"featured_media":31042,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","ub_ctt_via":"@counselorinsite","_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[28,868],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/21-3.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Dr. Kev Patel","author_link":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/author\/kev-patel\/"},"modified_by":"Randy Withers, LCMHC","uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/21-3.jpg",1600,900,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/21-3-150x84.jpg",150,84,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/21-3-200x113.jpg",200,113,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/21-3-768x432.jpg",768,432,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/21-3-400x225.jpg",400,225,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/21-3-1536x864.jpg",1536,864,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/21-3.jpg",1600,900,false],"tiny":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/21-3.jpg",60,34,false],"thumbnail-medium":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/21-3.jpg",480,270,false],"thumbnail-square":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/21-3.jpg",480,270,false],"thumbnail-portrait":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/21-3.jpg",480,270,false],"thumbnail-large":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/21-3.jpg",720,405,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Dr. Kev Patel","author_link":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/author\/kev-patel\/"},"uagb_comment_info":5,"uagb_excerpt":"The link between mental health and oral health is undeniable. In this article, we'll examine the relationship between these two seemingly unrelated concepts.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27994"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/65"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27994"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27994\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31042"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27994"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27994"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27994"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}