Stress May Empty Your Smile

It turns out that stress may not only ruin your day, it can also ruin your smile. Here are a few of the confirming studies.

There is a strong link between stress and gum disease, according to a new review of research on the issue.

Researchers found 57% of recent studies reviewed showed a positive relationship between gum disease and stress. These study’s did not identify a casusaul link however some think that elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol may be involved.

Here are two of the more accessible studies related to stress and gum disease.

 Financial Stress Doubles Periodontal Disease Risk

High levels of financial stress and poor coping abilities increase twofold the likelihood of developing periodontal (gum) disease, according to a study released today in the July 1999 issue of the Journal of Periodontology. Study Abstract

After accounting for other risk factors – such as age, gender, smoking, poor dental care and diabetes – those who reported high levels of financial strain and poor coping behaviors had higher levels of attachment loss and alveolar bone loss (signs of periodontal disease) than those with low levels of financial strain.

Increase in gingival inflammation under academic stress

Several correlational questionnaire studies have observed a positive relationship between psychological stress and periodontal diseases.

This study analyzed the effects of academic stress on periodontal health in a prospective quasi-experimental design. 26 medical students participating in a major exam and the same number of medical students not participating in any exam throughout the study period volunteered for the study.

Bleeding on probing was assessed 4 weeks prior to the exam period (baseline) and at the last day of the exam. Severe deteroriation in gingival health from baseline to the last exam day were observed more frequently in exam students than in controls (p=0.014).

6 exam students but only 1 control person developed a severe gingivitis at at least one formerly healthy tooth throughout the study period. These results further support the hypothesis that psycholgical stress is a significant risk factor for periodontal inflammation.

Renate Deinzer Institute for Medical Psychology, Stefan Rüttermann Department of Periodontology, University of Düsseldorf, Germany, Ole Möbes Department of Periodontology, University of Düsseldorf, Germany and Armin Herforth Department of Periodontology, University of Düsseldorf, Germany

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