Episode 171: ADHD and Dental Health: Crowns, Root Canals, TMJD and Grinding
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As a dentist’s daughter, I have to admit I was always spoiled when it came to my dental health. That is, until a terrible root canal (is there any other kind?) made me realize I had to start taking my dental health more seriously, even if that involved wearing the dreaded night guard I had cast aside many years before. It also got me thinking: ‘Wait, is this another thing that is somehow related to my ADHD?’
After diving into the research and taking a poll in our Facebook group, I discovered that an overwhelming number of ADHDers have experienced dental problems at some point in their lives, and there are some explanations as to why.
Join me for a solo episode, where I break down the causes of this correlation, and share helpful suggestions from our Facebook group members, and hopefully convince you to learn from my mistakes and wear your damn night guard!
Caregivers and dental professionals play an important role in helping children to develop healthy oral hygiene habits and to feel comfortable at the dentist. For youngsters with ADHD, their introduction to dentistry often sets the tone for how they relate to oral healthcare for the rest of their lives.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common developmental disorder. This study tested the hypothesis that children with ADHD exhibit a higher caries prevalence and poorer oral health behavior than children in a control group. Twenty-one children with ADHD and a control group of 79 ch ...
Experience in practice has suggested that children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) tend to have higher numbers of diseased, missing and filled teeth (DMFT score) than children without the condition. To date, however, this impression has not been systematically investigated. A ca ...
The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adult patients with severe dental anxiety. Specifically, we analysed the relationship among ADHD, oral health, and dental anxiety. The World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report S ...
There is evidence of association between bruxism and the increasingly common central nervous system stimulants prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) often prescribed ...
Pediatric dentists at Lonestar Kid's Dentistry provide routine dental care for children with special needs in the office and as dental outpatient surgery.
Children with ADHD may present with behavioral management problems in the dental setting due to increased anxiety and fear. These children also have a higher risk of suffering from traumatic dental and orofacial injuries. Poor oral hygiene and increased risk of cavities due to difficulty performing routine activities such as brushing teeth and increased consumption of sugary foods.
TMJ pain affects the temporomandibular joint in the face, but there are exercises that can help relieve discomfort and pain. This MNT Knowledge Center article gives information about exercises that can manage TMJ pain and other management methods, causes, and how it may be prevented.
