Stress Is Bad For Your Teeth and Gums

Stress, anxiety, depression and loneliness have severe effects on psychological well-being. Italian researchers, in a review of literature, conculded that stress could also ruin your teeth and gums. Stress increases the secretion of the hormone cortisol, which leads to tissue destruction and breakdown and depressed immunity. Also, highly stressed people often don't take the time to brush their teeth or floss, which contributes to periodontal disease. Stress is linked to a variety of degenerative diseases such as coronary artery disease and cancer. This study showed that stress could also destroy dental health. Be true to your teeth or they'll be false to you. (Journal Periodontology, 78:1491-1504)