Searches for antidepressant side effects surge, need for increased awareness of risks and oral health implications

Surging Google searches for antidepressant side effects harkens increased awareness of potential risks and oral health implications

A recent analysis of Google search data by drug and alcohol treatment experts at Wellbrook Recovery reveal searches for "antidepressants side effects' are at their highest point in five years—and will continue to rise.¹

This uptick reflects a broader change in how people think about these medications and their potential long-term risks. For dental professionals, this growing curiosity matters. Antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are among the most frequently prescribed medications in the United States, and their side effects can significantly affect oral health. Meanwhile, patients are questioning what risks they are taking by being on these medications.

Why is this concerning?

Antidepressants can illicit negative side effects that affect all aspects of health. Researchers at Kings College London and the University of Oxford noted potential cardiovascular and metabolic risks such as weight gain and changes in heart rateas two short-term side effects from data gathered over an eight-week period.²

Wellbrook Recovery CEO, Meir Kasnett, said: "This groundbreaking research has revealed some shocking stats on the possible physical effects that common antidepressant drugs can have on people, so it's to be expected that those who are prescribed these medications, or those who know someone who is, would be concerned."¹

As new data on the adverse effects of antidepressants coincides with the rise of antidepressant prescriptions, it is more important than ever to know about how they can affect patients' mental and physical health-and place a bigger emphasis on awareness and education.

Adverse dental implications

Has a patient ever complained about dry mouth without knowing where it came from?Antidepressants can put users at an increased risk for xerostomia, caries, salivary gland hypofunction, and even orthostatic hypotension (a condition where blood pressure drops after abruptly standing up after sitting or being in a supine position).^3,4

Dryness may also extend beyond the mouth; some participants in a 2016 study analyzing the oral effects of antidepressants reported "dryness of the lips and throat, oral soreness or burning, altered taste sensations and halitosis."⁴

As antidepressants can interfere with saliva production, disrupted salivary flow may also increase the risk of dental caries. As a buffer for organic acids produced by dental plaque, saliva creates an environment designed to protect teeth. Thus, reduced salivary flow may inhibit the body's ability to perform these functions and therefore lead to caries.

Xerostomia can be exacerbated when patients try to alleviate their symptoms by eating sweets, chewing gum with sugar, or drinking cariogenic and acidic beverages. According to the aforementioned study, "all of these can further increase the risk of tooth surface demineralisation and caries.⁴

For those with dry mouth, recommend patients to increase their fluid intake, but stay away from caffeine, alcohol, and artificially sweetened or acidic drinks. If they smoke, encourage them to quit. Nasal breathing, using a humidifier, and eating foods with added liquids like soup also helps.

Risk awareness and protecting patient health

As awareness of antidepression medication side effects grows, having open conversations with patients can help identify and treat their xerostomia or other oral conditions stemming from their prescriptions—ones they might not have known about otherwise. A 2018 Mind survey revealed only 21% participants were educated on the side effects of their medication—that means four out of five were unaware.⁶

This is alarming, especially as prescriptions for antidepressants continue to rise due to a myriad of factors, including post-pandemic stress and mental health trauma, the loneliness epidemic, work-related burnout, and Gen Z's feeling of isolation.⁶ As of 2022, 800 million people worldwide were diagnosed with a mental health disorder, with depression coming in as one of the most frequent diagnoses.⁷

Therefore, increased awareness and better education on the part of health-care providers is necessary to protect the health and safety of patients taking antidepressants. For dental professionals, being privy to a patient's medical records and history with depression can make all the difference in treating any oral health problems caused by their medication.

References

1. Searches for 'antidepressants side effects' hit highest peak in 5 years worldwide as public concern increases over their hidden risks. October 23, 2025. Press release.

2. Shakin C. Antidepressant side effects vary widely by drug, study finds. The New York Times. October 21, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/well/antidepressant-side-effects.html

3. Keene JJ Jr, Galasko GT, Land MF. Antidepressant use in psychiatry and medicine: importance for dental practice. J Am Dent Assoc. 2003 Jan;134(1):71-9. doi:10.14219/jada.archive.2003.0019

4. Daly C. Oral and dental effects of antidepressants. Aust Prescr. 2016 ;39(3):84. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2016.035

5. Moore S. 4 out of 5 people on antidepressant drugs are unaware of the side effects. News Medical. October 3 2019. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20191003/4-out-of-5-people-on-antidepressant-drugs-are-unaware-of-the-side-effects

6. Pringle E. Gen Z are more depressed and isolated than their coworkers-and feel less successful than other generations did at their age, according to new report. Fortune. January 21, 2025. https://fortune.com/2025/01/21/gen-z-depressed-isolated-compared-boomers-millennials-metlife-report/

7. Saha K, Torous J, Kiciman E, De Choudhury M. Understanding side effects of antidepressants: large-scale longitudinal study on social media data. JMIR Ment Health. 202119;8(3):e26589. doi:10.2196/26589