Researchers investigate stress as a potential cause of periodontal disease

A section of a mast cell. The cytoplasm, in yellow, releases granules, in green, in response to inflammation. Credit: CNRI/Science Source

We all know what contributes to gum disease—poor brushing, forgetting to floss, avoiding checkups, smoking. But what about a tough day at the office or dire financial straits? Surprisingly, the stress brought on by emotional struggles might have just as much to do with the disease, according to a review of the literature by three Tufts researchers.

“It’s been shown there is a significant association between emotional stress and periodontal disease,” says Evangelos Papathanasiou, DG11, an assistant professor of periodontology at Tufts School of Dental Medicine. “It definitely needs to be explored further.”

Before he came to Tufts, Papathanasiou was a dentist in the Greek air force and saw a number of soldiers under high stress who developed mouth ulcers and bleeding gums. Closer to home, he recently…