Role of Stress in Periodontal Disease

Psychological stress, if sustained over an extended period of time can have deleterious effects on the body representing an example of the mind-body interaction. Human and animal studies have shown that dental plaque bacteria are important for the development of gingivitis and periodontitis in both healthy and immunocompromised humans. As with many chronic infections the onset and progression of periodontal infections are clearly modified by local and systemic host conditions or risk factors that markedly affect the resistance of the host to infecting periodontal organisms. Psychological conditions, particularly psychological stress have been implicated as risk indicators for periodontal disease. This article reviews the current literature with emphasis on the potential role of psychological stress in periodontal disease progression.