Stress and Periodontal Disease

Stress is an association of physiological and psychological reactions of a person confronted to a change of situation he cannot face. The relationship between stress and any disease is explained by hormonal modifications and behavioural changes induced by the stress. Research has suggested that stress and depression are two factors that play a role in the development and progression of periodontal disease. It is not clear, however, whether these factors lead to periodontal disease through physiological or behavioural changes, or by some combination of the two. The purpose of the present review article is to explore the associations between psychological factors, psycho immunologic variables, behaviour, and clinical measures of periodontal disease.