Periodontitis an Antisocial Disease?

Social hermits and people who are constantly angry have an increased risk of gum disease.

Believe it or not, that's what a Harvard University study in the December issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association found.

The study of 523 male health professionals found men who are angry on a daily basis had a 43 percent greater risk of developing periodontitis than those who were seldomly angry. It also found men who have at least one close friend had a 30 percent lower risk of developing gum disease than men who did not have a close friend.

The authors write that stress is associated with poor oral hygiene, increased glucocorticoid secretion (which can depress immune function), and increased insulin resistance. All these factors can increase the risk of gum disease.

Men who took part in religious meetings or services had a 27 percent lower risk of developing gum disease compared to men who didn't take part in religious meetings. Divorced, widowed, and never-married men had a slightly greater risk of gum disease than married men.

"Case series, cross-sectional studies, and case-control studies have reported consistent findings with regard to the association between increased stress and periodontitis. Our findings from a prospective cohort study confirm the results of these studies," the authors write.

"Reduced social isolation and anger expression may play an important role in maintaining oral health, as well as general health and well-being," the authors conclude.

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