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

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.