Abstract
Numerous studies indicate that periodontal diseases affect a large portion of the adult population, and gum disease is a primary cause of losing teeth in the future. Periodontal diseases are a global health concern. Periodontal diseases are the most common and serious oral illnesses, affecting not only the gums but also the tissue and bone that support the teeth. It begins as gingivitis, a slight swelling of the gums resulting from the buildup of bacterial plaque. If not treated appropriately, it may advance to periodontitis, where the inflammation and infection spread deeper, causing damage to the tissue and bone. The scientific data that deals with stress is vast; it covers different theories of the influence of stress, the consequences of stress on the body and the brain, and the other contributors of stress. The scientific data contains heterogeneous findings about stress's causes, nature, and subsequent effects.
Aim: Since stress is a prevalent problem in modern life, the present work aims to estimate the association between stress and periodontal diseases, investigating the central relations highlighted in the scientific data.
Methods: The search comprised electronic databases: MEDLINE (PubMed), and Google Scholar, open access journals published by Elsevier. The keywords for the search were "stress," "periodontal diseases," "cortisol," and "saliva" in different combinations. The search considered works published from 2014 until December 2024. The procedure is shown in the PRISMA flowchart.
Conclusion: This review highlights the links between physiological stress, the stress hormone cortisol, and periodontal diseases, emphasizing the importance of considering stress as a risk factor in oral health. Understanding these relationships can help clarify discrepancies in treatment effectiveness and inform future healthcare practices.
