Title

Oral health considerations in patients receiving antidepressant therapy: Clinical implications and management strategies

Authors

Pihu Jamwal¹, P.K. Monika^2,*, Aditi Pustake³, Nisha Dholakiya⁴, Roshani Shrestha⁵ & Ketki Joshi⁶

Affiliation

¹Department of Dentistry, Institute of Dental Sciences, Jammu & Kashmir, India; ²Department of Prosthodontics, Lenora Institute of Dental Sciences, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India; ³Department of Dentistry, Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, Maharashtra, India; ⁴Department of Dentistry, College of Dental Science and Research Center, Gujarat, India; ⁵Department of Dentistry, Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Gokarneshwar, Kathmandu, Nepal; ⁶Department of Dentistry, Tatyasaheb Kore Dental College and Research Center, Maharashtra, India; *Corresponding author

Email

Pihu Jamwal -E-mail: Pihujamwal98@gmail.com P.K.

Monika - E-mail: drmonikapenumallu@gmail.com

Aditi Pustake - E-mail: draditilakhe@gmail.com

 Nisha Dholakiya - E-mail: Nisha_dholakiya@yahoo.com

Roshani Shrestha - E-mail: roshnishrestha07@gmail.com

Ketki Joshi - E-mail: drketkijoshi@gmail.com

Article Type

Research Article

Date

Received February 1, 2026; Revised February 28, 2026; Accepted February 28, 2026, Published February 28, 2026

Abstract

Patients receiving antidepressant therapy frequently present with oral health complications that are under recognized and inadequately addressed in routine dental practice. Antidepressant medications-particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)-are widely prescribed and have significant implications for oral health. Their adverse effects include xerostomia, increased caries risk, periodontal disease and bruxism and delayed wound healing, while depression itself may contribute to poor oral hygiene practices and irregular dental attendance. Additionally, pharmacologic interactions with vasoconstrictors, analgesics, antibiotics and antifungals can complicate dental management, particularly in medically compromised and geriatric patients. This review integrates pharmacologic, behavioral and clinical considerations related to antidepressant use and translates existing evidence into practical strategies for comprehensive dental management, thereby providing a clinically relevant framework for dental practitioners.

Keywords

Antidepressants, xerostomia, dental caries, periodontal disease, oral health management

Citation

Jamwal et al. Bioinformation 22(2): 1046-1050 (2026)

Edited by

Neelam Goyal & Shruti Dabi

ISSN

0973-2063

Publisher

Biomedical Informatics

License

This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.