How Mental Health Affects Oral Hygiene and Self-Care in Unhoused Populations

Concerns Regarding Mental and Oral Health

  Within the unsheltered community, many individuals grapple with mental health issues that significantly impact their state of mind and quality of life. In a 2022 survey from Multnomah County interviewing the unhoused, out of 5,200+ houseless people, 40% reported having a severe mental health disorder, with 37% reporting having a substance abuse disorder. (Portland Street Medicine, 2024) These conditions can lead to severe neglect or harm of personal care, including oral hygiene. With many limitations preventing this community from proper access to resources and facilities essential to maintaining their oral and overall health, they can become more vulnerable to oral infections, causing immense pain, discomfort, or subjection to societal stigma based on these afflictions.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse

    In addition to the facts mentioned above, it’s important to note that not only are individuals with mental illnesses more likely to become homeless than the general population, but the estimated rate of substance abuse among unsheltered people who are mentally ill falls at a staggering 50% (Adcare Treatment Centers, 2024). Substance abuse can drastically increase the risk of tooth decay and other harmful mouth diseases, making one’s goal of maintaining proper oral care and cleanliness even more challenging within these living conditions. According to American Addiction Centers, one reason that unhoused people with mental health issues might rely on substance abuse is to relieve their symptoms of mental illness, which can increase their chances of being exposed to violence or create barriers towards recovery. (American Addiction Centers, 2024)

How You Can Help

    With these aspects in mind, it’s apparent that untreated mental health issues can play a crucial role in an unhoused person’s physical health and well being, and can get notably worse in an environment where treatments and support centers are scarce. That is why it’s important to address these issues and be aware of the challenges that unhoused individuals are forced to undergo in regards to their mental and physical health. These are people in need of basic care and resources that many members of our society take for granted, and with enough support, they can thrive in our community, contributing to its overall growth and safety. If you know or encounter someone who is unhoused and in need of help with mental illness, hygienic care, or general support, below are some resource centers and contacts that aim to assist and educate in these factors:

https://www.211info.org/

https://multco.us/info/behavioral-health-resource-center

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline

https://www.h4apdx.org/

https://portlandrescuemission.org/

Sources

Most Homeless Americans Are Battling Mental Illness, www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2024-04-17/most-homeless-americans-are-battling-mental-illness. 

Padgett, Deborah K. “Homelessness, Housing Instability and Mental Health: Making The Connections.” BJPsych Bulletin, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Oct. 2020, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7525583/. 

“The Problem.” Portland Street Medicine, www.portlandstreetmedicine.org/the-problem. 

“Substance Abuse and Homelessness: Statistics and Rehab Treatment.” Resources for Addiction Rehabilitation & Recovery, americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/addiction-statistics-demographics/homeless. 

Alternatives to Traditional Tooth Brushing

Tooth brushing is the simplest form of dental hygiene, yet, for many, it can be inaccessible or unaffordable. Houseless people can often face a difficult decision: deciding between food, clothing, and other essentials like toothbrushes and toothpaste. Even when able to get ahold of these items, it may not be enough to keep teeth happy and healthy. Listed below are some alternative ways to care for teeth without using the classic toothbrush and toothpaste.

Use a damp towel to scrub teeth. Towels can be effective in toothbrushing when you don’t have access to a traditional toothbrush.

Use baking soda as a toothpaste alternative. As a common ingredient in toothpaste, baking soda can be an effective way to kill harmful bacteria in the mouth.

Eat certain foods. Eating celery, carrots, and apples can scrape away at plaque and other build up. Other than that, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet can help fight against decay and keep the mouth biome balanced.

Use sugar free gum. Similar to the foods mentioned above, chewing gum can be used to get rid of food particles stuck on teeth.

Use your tongue! While probably the least effective on this list, using your tongue to wipe your teeth can get rid of some build-up, which is always better than nothing. 

These tips and tricks can be the vital difference between having a healthy mouth and dealing with tooth decay and other dental health issues. If you are dealing with inaccessibility to traditional dental hygiene products, give these a try and check out the linked sources for more information.

https://www.padentalimplants.com/how-to-clean-teeth-without-a-toothbrush/

https://www.kytdentalservices.com/how-to-keep-your-teeth/while-being-homeless

https://suburbanessexdental.com/10-alternatives-to-brushing-your-teeth/