One in three adults in the United States experiences anxiety disorders.[1] Anxiety disorders, along with stress, impact more than just your psychological health — they can have severe repercussions on your physical well-being, too, including your oral health. One prominent correlation is between chronic periodontitis and anxiety or stress.
If you suffer from an anxiety disorder or elevated stress levels, it’s essential to know why you could have a higher risk of developing gum disease and what you can do to mitigate it.
What Is Chronic Periodontitis?
Periodontitis, also called gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue around teeth. Chronic periodontitis refers to chronic gum inflammation. Periodontal disease begins with gingivitis, which occurs if plaque builds up. Without treatment, gingivitis can progress to a more severe stage of periodontitis.
With gum disease, you can expect symptoms such as:[2]
- Bad breath
- Painful chewing
- Red gums
- Swollen gums
- Receding gums
- Bleeding gums
- Pus in the gums
- Tooth loss
As the disease progresses, you can experience bone loss, increasing the risk of losing teeth. You can also experience systemic inflammation that could put you at risk of other health issues.
Emotional Factors and Periodontal Diseases
Stress and anxiety are both emotional responses, with the former being caused by an external trigger. The trigger causes the body to release stress hormones, which make your heart beat faster and your blood pressure rise. Stress and anxiety are similar, but anxiety typically impacts the body for a much longer time.[3]
Both put a significant strain on you, pushing you to less-than-healthy habits, like smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and neglecting your hygiene. These are all risk factors that can make periodontal disease much more likely to develop and often.
There’s another important connection between chronic periodontitis and anxiety or stress. Systemic inflammation can occur when you have a lot of stress hormones coursing through your body for prolonged periods.[4] Inflammation may weaken the immune system and put you at further risk of developing infections, including gum disease.
Interestingly, the connection works in the opposite direction, as well. People who struggle with oral health issues like chronic periodontitis have a higher risk of developing anxiety and stress issues. Oral health problems tend to lower quality of life because they introduce discomfort and pain. They can also make people less likely to socialize, which impacts mental health.[5]
Chronic Periodontitis and Anxiety: Maintaining Oral Health While Addressing Anxiety and Stress
There are many actionable steps you can take to lower your chances of suffering chronic periodontitis if you’re struggling with anxiety or stress. First, don’t ignore your oral hygiene. Make an effort to brush and floss twice daily, and drink lots of water to stay hydrated. Hydration allows your body to produce the appropriate level of saliva that your teeth need to stay healthy.
If you’re struggling with anxiety or stress, you may feel the urge to reach for a cigarette or for that extra glass of wine to help manage some of the symptoms. Try to avoid doing so. Smoking can constrict blood flow to your gums, making it more difficult to fight off infections. Alcohol dehydrates you and encourages bacterial growth because of the amount of sugar in every sip you take.
You also want to take steps to address both anxiety and stress. Performing relaxation exercises like deep breathing and going for a walk can all be beneficial in lowering the stress hormones that cause psychological distress.
Get Help for Chronic Periodontitis
If you struggle with chronic periodontitis, we can help at Dental Implants & Periodontal Health of Rochester. Our team can address your oral health concerns so that you can prevent gum disease from progressing. With an expert periodontist who can address your concerns, you can get the trusted guidance you deserve.
Contact us at 585-534-3346 to schedule a periodontal visit.
Sources:
[2] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/periodontitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354473
[3] https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/anxiety-difference
[5] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/study-links-gum-disease-to-mental-health-conditions