Periodontal Health and Its Relationship With Psychological Stress

Correlation Between Periodontal Health, Psychological Stress and Mindfulness Awareness

Studies suggest that chronic exposure to psychological stress can lead to oral health deterioration, alter the immune response, and possibly contribute to increased inflammation, which can impact the physiological healing of periodontal tissues.

People with psychophysiological stress disorders tend to acquire unhealthy habits, leading to less self-care, incorrect nutrition, smoking, alcohol consumption, and reduced physical activity.

This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the correlation between periodontal health and psychological stress.

Patients between the ages of 35 and 70 will be recruited. Each patient must be visited and a periodontal assessment must be performed, recording the percentage of bleeding on probing and the Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR). Subsequently, patients will be administered the Sheldon Cohen Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Mindfulness Awareness Attention Scale (MAAS) questionnaires.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged > 18

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy
• administration of antibiotics in the last 15 days prior to study entry or indications for antibiotic prophylaxis;
• orthodontic appliances
• immunological diseases or use of drugs that can affect oral tissues, (phenytoin, cyclosporine), nifedepine, chronic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs);