Can Stress Affect Your Oral Health?

By Vanshika Gaur
02 Jul 2025, 16:30 IST

Though stress, also known as hypertension, affects mental and physical health, it can also affect oral health. From gum diseases to oral ulcers, stress can negatively impact oral heath. Tap to know more!

Gum Diseases

Stress increases cortisol levels (stress hormone) in the body, which disrupts the immune function and may cause inflammation in the gums.

Poor Eating Habits

With time, stress can lead to poor eating habits like excessive consumption of alcohol, smoking, and others, worsening oral health.

High Salivary Cortisol

Stress can also release high amounts of cortisol in saliva in patients suffering from periodontitis, which can worsen the condition.

Teeth Grinding

It also increases muscle tension, which can trigger teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, damaging the teeth and jaw.

Large Oral Ulcers

The high cortisol levels can cause inflammation in the body, especially in the mouth, also leading to large and painful oral ulcers.

Information Credits

According to PubMed, stress can affect oral health by leading to gum diseases, high salivary cortisol, and more. It is advisable to consult a dentist for personalised suggestions.