Gingival health and stress

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients,  June, 2005  by Robert A. Anderson

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In 52 medical student volunteers taking a major examination, severe deterioration in gingival health from baseline examination 4 weeks before to the examination at test time, was more frequent in the exam students compared to 26 control students not taking the exam (2p=0.014). Six exam subjects and one control student developed gingivitis at the site of teeth that were healthy at baseline.

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Deinzer R et al. Increase in gingival inflammation under academic stress. J Clin Periodontol 1998 May; 25(5):431-3

COMMENT: These results support the hypothesis that psychological stress is a significant risk factor for periodontal inflammation and infection. The argument can be made that medical students in the rush of cramming for finals fail to brush and floss their teeth. While this may be true, other studies including the demonstration of slow healing of deliberate wounds at exam time are consistent with immune deterioration rather than changes in hygienic habits as the cause of this type of phenomenon.

Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology describes the unity of mental, neurological, hormonal and immunological functions, addressing the impact of cognitive images of the mind (whatever its elusive definition) on the central nervous, endocrine and immune systems. It encompasses biofeedback and voluntary controls, impacts on physiology of thought and beliefs, past and present stress, placebos, social relationships and "energy medicine." This column highlights cogent studies from these arenas regarding holistic medicine in the new millennium.

by Robert A. Anderson, MD

614 Daniels Drive NE

East Wenatchee, Washington 98802 USA

COPYRIGHT 2005 The Townsend Letter Group
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group