EMOTIONAL-STRESS EFFECTS ON IMMUNITY, GINGIVITIS AND PERIODONTITIS

Gingivitis and periodontitis are thought to result from an imbalance b etween those oral microorganisms which normally colonize tooth surface s in close contact with the gingival margin, and the nature and effici ency of the host response. The bacteria are the triggering agents, but host defence mechanisms within the gingival/periodontal tissues seem to be responsible for most of the tissue damage and for the outcome an d progression of the diseases. It has recently been shown that emotion al or psychological load (stress) may influence immune activities dire ctly via nerve messenger substances (neurotransmitters and neuropeptid es) and/or indirectly via neuroendocrine (hormone) substances. This re view discusses how emotional stressors and nervous and neuroendocrine responses to psychological stressors may modulate the immune response to bacteria, and thus be expected to influence the progression and cou rse of gingivitis and periodontitis.