Research Article

Effects of stress on oral health among information technology professionals in chennai M. Gayathri1, Revathi Duraisamy1, M. P. Santhosh Kumar2*

ABSTRACT

Background: Jobs of information technology (IT) professionals require high skilfulness and increased concentration. They usually have to work for extended hours and under such conditions “stress” is an inevitable consequence. Stress stimulates the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis of our body thus leading to an increased overall hormonal secretion especially the adrenal gland. This can lead to effects such as muscle contraction, decreased salivary and synovial fluid secretion, bone resorption, and restlessness. Concerning the oral cavity, the changes can lead to a deteriorative process such as due to , dental caries due to , and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the effects of stress on oral health among IT professionals in Chennai and to analyze if IT professionals require increased awareness and dental help to maintain their oral health. Materials and Methods: A total of 153 IT professionals consisting of 77 males and 76 females with a work experience between 1 and 5 years were included in the survey. A questionnaire to analyze the subjects on stress symptoms and oral health were prepared and distributed. The data thus received were statistically analyzed using SPSS package 20.0. The correlation between stress and oral health manifestations such as TMD, bruxism, dry , and mouth was statistically evaluated, and results were obtained. Results: Bivariate analysis and correlation coefficient tests showed a significant relationship between age, work experience, working hours, daily exercises, systemic illness, and stress levels with oral health manifestations such as bruxism, TMD, mouth , and dry mouth. Conclusion: It is concluded from our study that stress can significantly affect the oral health of IT professionals. Hence, it is necessary to create awareness through dental camps and screening for early intervention and maintenance of the oral health.

KEY WORDS: Bruxism, Information technology professionals, Mouth ulcer, Oral health, Stress, Temporomandibular disorder

INTRODUCTION (SAM) of our body thus leading to an increased overall hormonal secretion especially the adrenal gland.[3,4] Jobs of information technology (IT) professionals Prolonged stress can alter the HPA and SAM axis. require high skillfulness and increased concentration. Concerning the oral cavity, increase in serum cortisol They usually have to work for extended hours and levels can reduce the immune and inflammatory under such conditions “stress” is an inevitable response leading to increased cariogenic activity in consequence.[1] Stress is a biological and psychological the oral cavity; can prolong the healing process; can response of the brain to any demand; it can be triggered decrease salivary and synovial fluid secretion; can by many things, including change. Changes may be cause increased bone resorption; and can lead to positive or negative, real or perceived. Changes may parafunctional habits such as bruxism and clenching due to masticatory muscle hyperfunction.[5] Bruxism be recurring, short or long-term and may include trivial is defined as a diurnal or nocturnal parafunctional things like commuting to school or work every day.[2] activity that includes clenching, bracing, gnashing, Stress stimulates the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal and grinding of teeth. Awake or diurnal bruxism occurs (HPA) axis and sympathetic-adrenal-medullary axis during daytime mainly as clenching, whereas nocturnal bruxism is a stereotyped movement of clenching and Access this article online grinding type activity