How Stress Affects Oral Health

 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people were affected by stress. If left untreated, stress can affect a person's mind and body, including oral health.

 

Stress is defined as the body's physiological response to factors that lead to negative physical or attitudinal influences. There are four types of stress: good stress, bad stress, low stress, and excessive stress.

 

Benign stress is a positive form of stress. It is a motivating pressure that motivates a person to complete a project or job for which he is assigned.

Bad stress is a negative type of stress that can affect a person's emotions through fear, anxiety or even anger.

 

When people have no positive stress, there will be a situation of low stress. Too low pressure can lead to more problems and can make people feel bored and hopeless.

 

Excessive stress is the result of stress and can occur when a person is pushed too hard to meet a deadline.

 

As Dr. David Cochran, chief of the Division of Periodontics and the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, says, when stress is present, more people are affected by bad habits, such as smoking and alcohol, that can be harmful. impact on their oral health. Risk factors such as grass and alcohol can also affect the development of periodontal disease.

 

A 2007 study published in the Journal of Periodontology reported that stress may affect oral hygiene. Fifty-six percent of participants in the study reported that stress interfered with their ability to brush and floss effectively. The hormone cortisol is released when people are stressed. Cortisol levels will increase and lead to periodontal disease.

 

 

 

Stress may affect an individual's oral health by triggering the following oral problems:

 

1. Mouth ulcers - small mouth sores caused by viruses, bacteria and immune system deficiency.

 

2. Temporomandibular joint/bruxism - People who experience stress may have problems affecting the function of the temporomandibular joint and teeth grinding during daytime or nighttime sleep.

 

3. Dry Mouth - Stress can affect the flow of saliva in the mouth, and if the patient is taking certain medications, these medications may enhance the flow of saliva.

 

4. Gum Disease - Studies have reported that stress may affect people's ability to clean their mouths properly at home.

 

 

These are just some of the oral problems that can result when stress arises. If you have any of these problems, please consult a dental professional. Try to reduce anxiety and tension by relieving stress with a nutrient-dense diet, getting enough night's sleep, and physical activity.