Eliminate Stress and Save Your Oral Health

Resolve To Eliminate Stress and Save Your Oral Health

The holidays are always stressful. They can be stressful emotionally, physically, and finan- cially. You can probably feel the stress taking its toll on your mind, body, and spirit. What you may not realize is that your everyday stress may be affecting your oral health.

A literature review published in the August issue of the Journal of Periodontology (JOP) saw a strong relationship between stress and periodontal diseases; 57% of the studies included in the review showed a positive relationship between periodontal diseases and psychological factors such as stress, distress, anxiety, depres- sion and loneliness.

While more research is needed to explain the specific role stress plays in gum disease, it is speculated that the hormone cortisol may play a role. When experiencing stress, the body releases increased amounts of cortisol, which can be harmful to the gums and surrounding bone tissue. This damage can eventually cause bone loss which leads tooth loss.

People with high stress levels are also more likely to increase their use of drugs or alcohol which can undermine oral health. Stress can also cause an individual to be less attentive to their oral hygiene. Exercise, a balanced diet and a positive mental attitude are all ways to help reduce stress and ultimately help promote periodontal health.

So this holiday season, don’t let the stress of life take a toll on your oral health. Having a healthy mouth can mean having a healthy body and that is a resolution everyone should make. Dr. Todd Welch. Jackson, TN 731-215-2347