Dentist and Skin Care Blog from Boston's Area Leading Dental Office

If you’ve suffered from common symptoms of excess stress, including stomach upset, headaches, frequent illness and fatigue, you know that psychological health is directly linked to your physical condition. Over the last several years, though, researchers have discovered that stress levels can also negatively impact your teeth and gums—and may cause long-term damage to your periodontal health if left unaddressed.

According to a 2007 study published in the Journal of Periodontology, increased stress causes increased levels of cortisol—which leads to periodontal disease that damages gums and jaw bones over time. When periodontal disease is left untreated, tooth and bone loss are the unfortunate results.

“Individuals with high stress levels tend to increase their bad habits, which can be harmful to periodontal health,” said Preston D. Miller, Jr. of the American Academy of Periodontology. So, while seeing a dentist regularly and maintaining good oral hygiene can help with mouth health, one of the best ways to reverse the effects of periodontal disease is to reduce stress through healthy sleeping, eating and exercise habits.

Unfortunately, the impact of stress on your oral health does not stop with periodontal disease. Make an appointment with your Boston dental team if you’ve developed recent canker sores or jaw pain, since mouth lesions and TMJ can also be linked to state of mind.

It’s especially important to get a handle on stress before it leads to increasing levels of dental plaque—which may cause gingivitis or serious gum disease. Symptoms of periodontitis may include bleeding gums, receding gum lines or frequent bad breath, and may require antibiotics or other in-office treatments before the condition improves.

Don’t stress over periodontal problems. Instead, ask the experts at Smile and Skin about periodontal services, TMJ treatments and other options for defeating the stress that may impact your oral health. Call today to schedule your free dentistry or skin care consultation, or to inquire about insurance and payment options.