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If you are stressed out about the credit crisis or the stock market, you could be hurting your teeth and gums. Really. How are they related? Dr. Linda Niessen of Baylor College of Dentistry joins us to talk about stress hormones, grinding and clenching. Welcome back. This sounds alarming.It can be. And most people don't realize how stress and anger can affect their oral health. These strong emotions set off a chain of events that even include gum disease. Let's see how.
For years, dentists have connected the two problems: stressed out patients who also have gum disease.
“Their immune systems are stressed out," said periodontist Dr. Jackie Plemons. "They can’t fight infection as well.”
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In the Journal of the American Dental Association, Harvard University researchers reported that men who are angry on a daily basis had a 43 percent higher risk of developing periodontitis, an infection of the bones that hold the teeth in. “In this particular study, they looked at men who experienced anger more frequently in their lives.”
Anger causes the body to release stress hormones, which depress the immune system and increase resistance to insulin.
“And in a patient under stress, we have more of those chemicals and more of challenge in maintaining periodontal health.”
Other risk factors play a role. If you smoke, you have a much greater risk of developing periodontal disease than a non-smoker. Diabetes also increases the risk.
Signs of Gum Disease
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The signs of gum disease are red, swollen or tender gums; gums that bleed when you brush; bad breath that doesn’t go away; loose teeth; or a change in the way the teeth fit together.Besides gum disease, stress and anger can cause daytime and nighttime grinding. You may not even know you're doing it. You may find yourself clenching your teeth--even while you sleep. Sore jaws when you wake up in the morning may be a sign you are clenching your teeth all night.
FAQ on Gum Disease
Question: What should people do if they think stress and anger might be causing problems?
Dr. Niessen: Make an appointment with your dentist. For bleeding gums, your dentist can prescribe a special mouth wash. For grinding and clenching, you may need a night guard that you wear when you sleep.
Question: What are the signs of grinding or clenching besides sore jaws?
Dr. Niessen: If you have cracked a tooth recently, or if you notice your teeth getting shorter over time, or you hear a clicking sound in your jaw joints, you could be suffering from bruxism. That's a medical term for grinding.
STORY: STRESS & ORAL HEALTH
SCRIPT # 890
AIRDATE: Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008
Writer/Producer/Director: Sara Ivey
DHC MASTER #21
BROADCAST VIDEO:
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