Stress can make it more difficult for our bodies to fight gum disease because stress may lead to a suppressed immune system that allows the bacteria that cause gum disease to flourish.
Studies have suggested that there is a positive relationship between gum disease and psychological factors such as stress, distress, anxiety, depression and loneliness.
More research is needed to understand the relationship between stress and gum disease. But stress may also cause people to engage in habits that lead to gum disease, such as smoking or eating unhealthy foods, and forgetting to properly clean their teeth and visit dentists.However, people who minimise stress may reduce their risk of gum disease as a result.
Research studies have shown that people who have had a stroke (loss of brain function due to a lack of blood supply) were more likely to have an oral infection than those in a control group.
