{"id":167,"date":"2020-03-24T17:33:44","date_gmt":"2020-03-24T17:33:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.friscoperio.com\/blog\/?p=167"},"modified":"2020-03-24T17:33:44","modified_gmt":"2020-03-24T17:33:44","slug":"can-stress-increase-your-risk-for-gum-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.friscoperio.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/can-stress-increase-your-risk-for-gum-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Stress Increase Your Risk for Gum Disease?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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For many years, scientists and researchers have been\nconducting studies focusing on the link between oral health and many other\nserious conditions that you wouldn\u2019t otherwise consider to be connected. One of\nthe most common conditions is heart disease and stroke, which have shared many\ncommon links, one of them being inflammation. With this in mind, it\u2019s worth exploring\nhow other external factors can affect your risk for gum disease in Frisco as\nwell, such as stress. According to a periodontist, here\u2019s what we know now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Research Behind Stress and Gum Disease<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, certain forms\nof stress can influence areas of your body that you might not have thought about\nbefore. Nick Russo, DDS, a spokesperson for the AGD, notes that there is\ndefinitely a link between stress and oral health. \u201cStress affects the immune\nsystem, which fights against the bacteria that causes gum disease\u201d he writes. He\nalso notes that this makes a person more prone to gum infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, studies conducted at the State University of\nNew York at Buffalo, the University of North Carolina and the University of\nMichigan showed that those at greatest risk for periodontal (gum) disease were\nthose who were highly emotional while dealing with financial hardships. These\npeople were also compared to those experiencing stress over children, spouse,\nsingle life or work. The studies showed that those with financial hardships had\nthe most severe periodontal disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can Stress Affect Your Gum Health?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve already noted that stress can affect the immune system,\nbut what does that actually mean when it comes to the health of your gums?\nWell, much like how inflammation links heart disease and gum health, stress\nplays a similar role. When more stress appears in the body, the hormone\ncortisol is produced. This hormone is meant to act as an anti-inflammatory\nagent. However, when cortisol is produced in the gums, it stimulates cells that\nin turn produce proteins. This increases inflammation and promotes the\nprogression of gum disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gum inflammation means gum tissue that is red, (or dark\npurple), tender, sensitive to the touch, and less able to fight back against\nday-to-day exposure to oral bacteria and plaque. Thankfully, there is a way to\nfight back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Can You Do to Stop Gum Disease<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While at-home brushing and flossing as well as routine dental\nappointments can help you stay ahead of gum disease, it also helps to learn\ntechniques to deal with stress in a healthy way. This includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n