Stress | Causes of gum inflammation

Stress

Stress is a risk factor that can promote gum inflammation. Stress promotes the body’s defensive reaction against external influences. In this case, stress promotes the immune response against the pathogens and the body sends out more inflammatory mediators, which cause gingivitis.

The stress hormone cortisol is primarily responsible for this, which promotes the messenger substances and thus the spread of the inflammatory symptoms. Nevertheless, researchers still do not know the exact connections and what the exact functional mechanism is. In general, it can be said that stress and psychological problems influence the severity of gingivitis and can thus turn a simple, uncomplicated gingivitis into a serious periodontal disease.

Mouth breathing

Mouth breathing is a common problem for snorers who are unable to breathe through their nose due to narrowed nasal passages, polyps or other causes. Due to the constant air supply through the mouth, the oral mucosa and gums dry out, which promotes inflammation and bad breath. As a result of drying out, the saliva no longer buffers the pH value and the pH becomes acidic. The acidic environment causes damage to the teeth and gums and the body reacts in the form of an immune response with gingivitis. If breathing through the mouth continues, the symptoms persist.

Smoking

Smoking is a risk factor that promotes inflammation in the oral cavity. Nicotine and carbon monoxide cause the blood vessels to contract and the blood flow to decrease. The lack of blood circulation makes it difficult for defence cells to be transported through the bloodstream, which is why the immune response is slowed and weakened.

As a result, the body’s immune system cannot counteract pathogens in the oral cavity as efficiently. As a result, inflammations develop more quickly and are easier to treat. The extent of the inflammation can also be increased by the reduced immune response.

As a result, smoking promotes the further development of gingivitis into periodontitis. According to studies, this factor is 6 times higher than that of a non-smoker. Smokers thus suffer more often and earlier from inflammation in the oral cavity and the severity is increased.