Every day stresses, like driving to work, dealing with the boss, the screaming kids, and even getting out of bed in the morning can just be enough to push someone off the edge. If you compound that with the stress of the holidays, and shopping for presents, and for the holiday meals can make things even worse. We tend to ignore our health in these times to the hustle and bustle of the day and not realize the toll that stress can take on our bodies and even our teeth.
Studies have shown (Genco et al, 1999) that stress, especially financial stress, can increase the risk of developing periodontal disease, which is a disease of our gums and bone that can lead to loss of teeth. Stress can reduce the response of our immune system to bacteria that live between our teeth and gums, which causes inflammation, and leads to bone loss around the teeth. If you have been feeling stressed lately it is time to focus on your health. It would be wise to seek out an appointment and an evaluation from your local Kansas City Periodontist, to evaluate your periodontal health!
