Stress-related Orofacial Diseases in Information Technology Professionals

  • J Sreedevi Thai Moogambigai Dental College and Hospital, Dr. M.G.R. Educational andResearch Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Hashmath Ara Thai MoogambigaiDental College and Hospital, Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Priya Ramani Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, TamilNadu, India
  • P S Gayathri Thai Moogambigai Dental College and Hospital, Dr. M.G.R. Educationaland Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  • M Vidyasri Thai MoogambigaiDental College and Hospital, Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Keywords: Aphthous ulcer, Bruxism,, Burning mouth syndrome,, Stress, Temporomandibular joint disorder,, Xerostomia

Abstract

Introduction: Stress is believed to have major impact on the physical well-being of the individual and it does not spare the oral
cavity as well. These stress-induced orofacial disorders have various manifestations and are more prevalent in professionals
working in information technology (IT) field due to prolonged working hours and unreasonable deadlines.
Aim: This study aims to determine the prevalence of stress and stress-related orofacial diseases among the IT professionals.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried among 109 IT professionals working in a private firm after
obtaining clearance from the Institutional Ethical Committee and concerned authorities. It is performed by history taking using
a questionnaire based on perceived stress scale that had 14 questions and clinical examination. The data collected were
statistically evaluated.
Results: Among the 109 participants, 88 were male and 21 were female. This study revealed that they were stressed due to
the job and that xerostomia and aphthous ulcer were more prevalent (22.9%) in IT professionals followed by bruxism, burning
mouth syndrome, and temporomandibular joint disorders

Author Biographies

J Sreedevi, Thai Moogambigai Dental College and Hospital, Dr. M.G.R. Educational andResearch Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology

Hashmath Ara, Thai MoogambigaiDental College and Hospital, Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Post-graduate Student, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology

Priya Ramani, Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, TamilNadu, India

HOD and Professor, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Thai Moogambigai Dental College and Hospital

P S Gayathri, Thai Moogambigai Dental College and Hospital, Dr. M.G.R. Educationaland Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Reader Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology

M Vidyasri, Thai MoogambigaiDental College and Hospital, Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

2Post-graduate Student, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology

References

1. Uma Maheshwari TN, Gnanasundaram N. Stress related oral diseases-a
research study. Int J Phar Bio Sci 2010;1:1-10.
2. Jones JH, Mason DK. Oral Manifestations of Systemic Diseases. 2nd ed.
London: Bailliere Tindall; 1980. p. 30-60.
3. Nagabhushan D, Rao BB, Mamatha GP, Annigeri R, Raviraj J. Stress related
oral disorders-a review. J Indian Acad Oral Med Radiol 2004;16:197-200.
4. Sanadi RM, Vandana KL. Stress and its implication in periodontics-a
review. J Indian Acad Oral Med Radiol 2005;17:8-10.
5. Travell J. Temporomandibular joint pain referred from muscles of head and
neck. J Prosthet Dent 1960;10:745.
6. Preeti L, Magesh K, Rajkumar K, Karthik R. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis.
J Oral Maxillofac Pathol 2011;15:252-6.
7. Cohen S, Kamarck T, Mermelstein R. A global measure of perceived stress.
J Health Soc Behav 1983;24:385-96.
8. Kandagal VS, Shenai P, Chatra L, Ronad YA, Kumar M. Effect of stress on
oral mucosa. Biol Biomed Rep 2012;1:13-6.
9. Under Pressure: How Stress Can Affect Your Oral Health. Available from:
http://www.youroralhealth.ca/mediaroom/mediareleases/316underpressure
howstresscan-affectyouroralhealth. [Last accessed on 2016 Jan 01].
10. Harold Jones J, Mason DK. Disorders of immunity. In: Oral Manifestations
of Systemic Diseases. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders; 1980. p. 102-7.
11. Redwine L, Snow S, Mills P, Irwin M. Acute psychological stress, Effects
on chemotaxis and cellular adhesion molecule expression. Psychosom Med
2003;65:598-603.
12. de Barros Gallo C, Mimura MA, Sugaya NN. Psychological stress and
recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2009;64:645-8.
13. Aravindhan R, Vidyalakshmi S, Kumar MS, Satheesh C, Balasubramanium
AM, Prasad VS. Burning mouth syndrome: A review on its diagnostic and
therapeutic approach. J Pharm Bioallied Sci 2014;6:S21-5.
14. Laskin DM. Etiology of the pain dysfunction syndrome. J Am Dent Assoc
1969;79:147.
15. Evaskus DS, Laskin DM. A biochemical measure of stress in patients with
myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome. J Dent Res 1972;51:1464-6.
Published
2021-10-01
Section
Original Articles