The influence of academic stress on periodontal health

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of academic stress on oral status and in relation to inflammatory markers in gingival crevicular fluid and cortisol in saliva.

Methods: Twenty healthy dental hygienists (females; mean age 29.3 ± 8.5 SD) were included. The study was conducted during a major exam period and four weeks later, during no exam period. Clinical examination was performed and GCF was collected from four sites in each subject at these two occasions. IL-1â, IL-6, IL-10 were determined with ELISA and cortisol with radioimmunoassay (125 I RIA). The students answered questions regarding stress and registered their perceived stress on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The significance of the findings was determined with non-parametric t-test and Spearman rank correlations.

Results: The students had higher amount of dental plaque (p<0.007) and gingival inflammation (p<0.001) during the exam period compared to the no exam period. The levels of IL-6 and IL-10 in GCF were significantly increased during the exam period. The level of cortisol in saliva was significantly increased during the exam period compared to the no exam period, 21.80 nmol/l (±11.5 SD) 17.34 nmol/l (±8.1SD), respectively p<001. The results from the VAS registration revealed a significant difference (p<001) between the two occasions.

Conclusion: Academic stress seems to affect periodontal health by more plaque accumulation, gingival inflammation and increased levels of IL-6, IL-10 in GCF and cortisol in saliva.