Did you know?!!
Stress is linked to:-
1) Bruxism (tooth grinding)
2) Periodontal disease
3) Temporomandibular disorders
4) Canker sores/ mouth sores
There are numerous published studies citing how stress adversely affects health. Peterson et al. (2001) conducted a study which concluded that stress is correlated with the spread, severity and pathogenesis of infectious diseases. In 2007, a study published in the Journal of Periodontology suggested that increased levels of the hormone cortisol advances, and perhaps proliferates periodontal disease.
Canker sores or cold sores are found to be caused by a latent Herpes Simplex Virus 1. The HSV is very prevalent in majority of Americans by the age of 15. In a study published in the Journal of Infectious Disease, fatigue and stress were commonly cited causes for the onset of a cold sore outbreak. A plethora of other studies collaborate the data suggesting that stress is unequivocally related to the onset of mouth ulcers and cold sores.
One of the main causes of bruxism: commonly known as teeth grinding or clenching, is stress, anxiety and tension. Often, bruxism takes place at night. In deciduous (primary) teeth, grinding does not seem to be as great of a problem as in permanent teeth. Chronic bruxism can wear down the enamel, cause headaches and worsen TMJ issues.
1. Stress and Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease Phillip K. Peterson, Chun C. Chao, Thomas Molitor, Michael Murtaugh, Franc Strgar and Burt M. Sharp Reviews of Infectious Diseases , Vol. 13, No. 4 (Jul. - Aug., 1991), pp. 710-720
2. The Journal of Periodontology
3. Mayo Clinic
4. The Natural History of Recurrent Facial-Oral Infection with Herpes Simplex Virus Colette Bader, Clyde S. Crumpacker, Lowell E. Schnipper, Bernard Ransil, Joan E. Clark, Kenneth Arndt and Irwin M. Freedberg The Journal of Infectious Diseases , Vol. 138, No. 6 (Dec., 1978), pp. 897-905
5.ABC Of Oral Health: Mouth Ulcers And Other Causes Of Orofacial Soreness And Pain Crispian Scully and Rosemary Shotts BMJ: British Medical Journal , Vol. 321, No. 7254 (Jul. 15, 2000), pp. 162-165