Sunday, 1 February 2026

Interlinking Depression and Oral Health: A Public Health Perspective | chapter 1 | An Overview of Disease and Health Research Vol. 9

 

Depression is one of the most common and disabling psychiatric disorders worldwide, and exerts a profound impact on physical, emotional, and social health. It is characterised by depressive symptoms such as relentless sadness, loss of interest in enjoyable activities, changes in appetite and weight, sleep disturbances or hypersomnia, fatigue or loss of energy, impaired concentration, feelings of guilt, and suicidal thinking. The aetiology of depression arises from a complex interplay of genetic, neurobiological, psycho-social and environmental factors. People who have experienced major life events, early life trauma, or chronic stress are most at risk. Recent studies provide compelling evidence that there is a strong yet overlooked link between depression and oral health. Patients with depression lead suboptimal oral health lives due to poor oral hygiene behaviours, unhealthy dietary habits, additional tobacco and alcohol use, and being less likely to seek dental care. Depression involves dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, systemic inflammation, immunosuppression, and the decrease of salivary gland function, which all increase susceptibility to oral sepsis, xerostomia and dental caries. Similarly, the reversed pathway of the relationship could be suggested, as poor oral health leads to psychological discomfort, poorer quality of life, and increased depression symptoms. The chapter is a summary of details regarding the epidemiology of the condition; classification of depression; biological and behavioural mechanisms involved with the relationship between depression and oral health, preventive measures for the condition & treatment strategies. It highlights the need for collaboration among dental and mental health workers who deal with the public health concern of the burden of Depressive Disorders. This study aimed to explore the association between depression and oral health by examining the different categories of depression, their impact on oral health, and recommended preventive measures to bridge gaps in awareness and care in this area.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Abdulhameed G. Albeshr
King Abdulaziz Medical City for National Guard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

 

Yazeed A. Alhabdan
King Abdulaziz Medical City for National Guard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

 

Ahmad M. Albanyan
King Abdulaziz Medical City for National Guard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

 

Alanoud M. Alanazi
King Abdulaziz Medical City for National Guard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

 

Duaa Obaidallah
King Abdulaziz Medical City for National Guard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

 

Maha Al-Aswad Al-Enezi
King Abdulaziz Medical City for National Guard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

 

Nora AlAgil
King Abdulaziz Medical City for National Guard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

 

Rand H. Almujel
King Abdulaziz Medical City for National Guard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

 

Abdullah F. Alhussain
King Abdulaziz Medical City for National Guard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

 

May M. Aleraij
King Abdulaziz Medical City for National Guard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

 

Setah T. Alanazi
King Abdulaziz Medical City for National Guard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

 

Shadyah E. Alfaori
King Abdulaziz Medical City for National Guard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

 

Shatha Faisal Aldhawi
King Abdulaziz Medical City for National Guard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

 

Reham F. Alsaleh
Private Dental Clinic, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/aodhr/v9/6728

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