How Can OCD Patients Be Comfortable At The Dentist?

People with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) face several challenges in life. Among the challenges facing them is a trip to the dentist and oral health in general.

While no one particularly enjoys visiting the dentist, it is normally manageable for most people. However, for those with OCD, it can be incredibly difficult.

So how can OCD patients be more comfortable at the dentist? We take a look in this article.

What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): This is a debilitating condition that involves an individual having regular obsessions and compulsions. The individual involved will have repetitive thoughts, behaviours or urges. Unfortunately, OCD is a very, very misunderstood condition. It is a very difficult condition to live with, and can disrupt an individual’s life significantly.

OCD and oral health

There is an uneasy relationship between OCD and oral health. Research shows that patients with OCD typically have worse oral health than those without the condition [1].

People with OCD may also feel driven towards repetitively brushing their teeth [2]. While this may sound like a good thing, too much brushing can lead to tooth surface loss and recessed gums.

As antidepressants are normally used as treatment for any condition on the Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum, this also increases the risk of oral problems due to antidepressants typically causing dry mouth. Dry mouth results in a lack of saliva, which is important to have.

Aside from the enhanced risk of oral health problems, other problems exist for patients with OCD on a wider level, namely – a dental clinic.

Those with OCD will often fear contamination and a lack of cleanliness. Therefore, a dental clinic can be a challenging location for them to visit.

Are the instruments clean? When were the surfaces last cleaned? Has the chair been cleaned since the last person sat down? These are a few of the many questions that a patient with OCD may wish to ask.

Other research found that patients with OCD often have aggressive thoughts, grind their teeth, and worry about cleanliness when in a dental clinic [3].

How can dentists react?

It is important that dentists put in place provisions to help patients with OCD to feel comfortable. Among the measures they could do includes:

• A discussion at the start of the appointment about the patient’s mental health, including potential triggers
• Sterilising instruments and tools in front of the patient
• Answering any questions that the patient may have
• Narrating what they are doing to make sure the patient knows what they are doing
• Using a disposable needle when anaesthetic needles are being used

These are just a few possible methods that dentists can use. However, it is important to mention that dentists also have challenges in treating patients with OCD, and can only help to a certain extent.

Summary

Overall, there is a difficult relationship between OCD and oral health. Those with the condition are unlikely to ever feel entirely comfortable in going to the dentist.

However, with the right methods in place, patients can be made to feel more at ease at a dental clinic. Hopefully, this would aid their oral and mental health.

See Also

• 10 Alternative and Complimentary Mental Health Treatments
• Study Suggests Oral Health Impacts Mental Health of Pregnant Women
• New Research Shows The Oral Health Problems Facing Those With Mental Health Conditions
• The McMartin Preschool Abuse Trial: The Ultimate Case of Infamy