ADHD May Affects Oral Health: Research Insights

Human health depends on various factors. Sometimes, a particular disease of one organ or system may be caused by problems in other parts of the human body. That is not only about physiological issues – mental conditions also often affect different parts of our body, and the mouth cavity is not an exception.

Thus, one of the latest research from the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health found that adult with ADHD is often linked to poor oral health. Let's examine how it works.

Study insights

ADHD – attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder – is characterized by inattention and forgetfulness that prevents you from maintaining habits, including, for instance, regular teeth brushing. It's well known that children with ADHD are more likely to have poor oral microbiomes, but the situation with adults remained poorly understood until a recent study. CareQuest Institute State of Oral Health Equity conducted a survey among adult Americans to fill this gap.

Their study found that:

• 40.4% of adults with ADHD did not visit a dentist – compared to 31.9% of people without the condition
• 48.4% of adults with ADHD are embarrassed by their oral health – compared to 29.6%
• 13% of adults with ADHD visited an emergency clinic for dental care – compared to 2.3%
• 22.5% reported high dental anxiety – compared to 11.8%

Additionally, scientists found that some medicines used for ADHD treatment may have side effects, causing tooth decay, gingivitis, and other oral health issues.

Importance of complex approach

A few months ago, we reported on the Journal of the American Dental Association publication that highlights the significance of mental components in dental treatment. Psychological conditions and sleep problems may be a cause (or aggravating factor) of dental issues, and to solve them correctly, dentists need to take into account mental factors to provide reliable treatment.