Do Overwork and Stress Set Fire to Your Gums? A Prescription for Those Whose Gums Swell When Angered

The fire discussed in Korean medicine can be interpreted very similarly to a chronic inflammatory response or a physical stress response in modern medicine. When severe stress or overwork persists, our body declares a state of emergency. At this time, the system playing a central role is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. When this axis is activated, the stress hormone cortisol is excessively secreted. Initially, cortisol can exhibit anti-inflammatory effects, but long-term exposure to high concentrations of cortisol disrupts the immune system. Our body's defensive barrier weakens, which can have a detrimental effect particularly on the environment of the oral cavity. Cortisol disrupts the balance of cytokines that regulate inflammation and promotes the secretion of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α. Within gum tissue, this increases microvessel permeability, causing edema and erythema, and ultimately weakens the gums. Furthermore, stress affects the microorganism environment in the oral cavity. It promotes the proliferation of harmful bacteria and suppresses the activity of beneficial bacteria, which can worsen gum inflammation. It can also reduce saliva secretion and induce dry mouth, and saliva plays an important role in washing away and neutralizing bacteria in the oral cavity. When saliva decreases, bacterial proliferation becomes easier, further raising the risk of inflammation. Stress even leads to unconscious habits, such as bruxism or clenching the teeth. These habits exert excessive physical pressure on the gums and tooth, causing micro-damage and worsening existing inflammation. Ultimately, psychological stress acts through a combination of immune hypofunction, amplified inflammatory responses, changes in the oral environment, and physical damage to make the gums ache and swell. Gum health is an important indicator showing the overall health status of our body and a barometer that helps us realize how critical stress management is.