O CICLO VICIOSO DA SAÚDE: COMO A DEPRESSÃO AGRAVA A CÁRIE E A CÁRIE INTENSIFICA SINTOMAS DEPRESSIVOS

Dental caries and depression are high-prevalence conditions with a significant impact on public health, increasingly discussed due to their potential bidirectional relationship. Objective: This study aims to systematically analyze scientific evidence pointing to the mutual influence between oral health and mental health, highlighting the biological, behavioral, and psychosocial mechanisms involved. Methodology: Na integrative literature review was conducted, surveying publications from the last five years in SciELO, Google Scholar, and the Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 13 articles formed the final corpus of analysis. Data were examined qualitatively, allowing for the identification of patterns, convergences, and divergences among the studies. Results: Findings indicated that depression is associated with a higher incidence of caries, periodontal diseases, and halitosis due to reduced hygiene habits, consumption of ultra-processed foods, and side effects of antidepressant medications. Conversely, dental caries has significant repercussions on psychological well-being through chronic pain, functional discomfort, and aesthetic alterations that compromise self-esteem, fostering feelings of shame, social exclusion, and the worsening of depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The integration between dentistry and mental health is fundamental to breaking the cycle of illness, proposing more effective preventive and therapeutic strategies. This study contributes to broadening the interdisciplinary debate and highlights the need for further empirical research to evaluate joint interventions aimed at promoting comprehensive and humanized healthcare.