Maternal mental health and children oral health: a literature review

Authors

  • FS Ludovichetti Department of Neurosciences – Dentistry Section, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova
  • A Zuccon Department of Neurosciences – Dentistry Section, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova
  • G Zambon Department of Dentistry, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano
  • AG Signoriello Department of Neurosciences – Dentistry Section, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova
  • N Zerman Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Paediatrics and Gynaecology, University of Verona, Verona
  • E Stellini Department of Neurosciences – Dentistry Section, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova
  • P Lucchi Department of Dentistry, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano
  • S Mazzoleni Department of Neurosciences – Dentistry Section, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2023.1833

Keywords:

Mental health, Oral Health, Paediatric Dentistry, Paediatric Patients

Abstract

AIM: Recently, serious considerations regarding mental health conditions and their impact on the whole organism have been made. This area is still quite unknown within the dental community, despite the potential impact these conditions can have on both oral care and health. Previous studies have concluded that both pregnant women and mothers have been found to be particularly sensitive to the risk of developing mental disorders such as anxiety and major depression. There is a very high possibility for the children of these mothers to experience neglect and disregard due to of the development of these conditions, which will negatively affect their behavioural and physical growth as a result. This impact stretches into oral health as well, as these children have been reported to be more inclined to develop early childhood caries, bruxism, and after-birth enamel defects, in addition to illnesses like diabetes and disabilities. MATERIALS: A literature search was conducted in Pubmed, Medline, and Scopus for the keywords ‘maternal depression', ‘oral health' and ‘children', combined with ‘AND' or ‘OR' Boolean Operators. CONCLUSION: The results of the present literature suggest a strong connection between maternal mental disorders and poor children's oral care, and as a result, dental professionals should be extremely careful when treating and communicating with these patients.