Summary
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic of this year 2020, problems of great consequence have been developing in consequences in general health, including mental and oral health. Stress and anguish have generated psychosocial clinical manifestations such as anxiety, depression, among others. Oral problems such as bruxism defined as unconscious grinding of teeth and persistent mandibular parafunction results in pathological problems in the temporomandibular joint, associated muscles, periodontal ligament and tooth fracture. Stress, being a psychosocial factor that increased by this pandemic, is a risk factor for developing periodontal disease. A person with stress has been studied to release molecules in the body that lead to depression, and this metabolism can lead to discouragement, impaired in a reluctance to perform oral hygiene habits or to look at tobacco to release stress, so these are conditions that go vicious circle that affect periodontal health. Chronic stress is harmful since it is maintained over time by stimulating the hypothalamus in a series of hormones, triggering the release of glucocorticoids such as cortisol, shown in studies related to a decrease in the body’s defenses and this will become a risk factor to develop periodontal disease. In addition to all this, bruxism leads to a parafunction where an occlusal trauma will occur affecting the periodontal ligament and the bone. Many cases of dental fractures have been reported due to the stress generated by bruxism. There are many methods to prevent and eliminate stress such as physical activity, healthy food among others that can have a positive impact and help in psychosocial conditions in this COVID 19 pandemic.
KEY WORDS: psychosocial illness, bruxism, COVID-19, periodontal disease, stress.
How to cite this article
MORÓN, A. M. Stress and bruxism due to COVID-19 as risk factors in periodontal disease. Int. J. Odontostomat., 15(2):309-314,2021.
