Chronic Stress, Depression and Cortisol Levels Are
Potential Risk Indicators for Periodontal Disease
Researchers evaluated the effects of stress, depression
and cortisol on the accumulation of dental plaque and
gingivitis in individuals over 50.
Steve i. Wolf,
ER100ONTICS
Caregivers of people under psychological or physical
stress, as well as those with the conditions themselves,
should not overlook their oral health, according to a new
study printed in the Journal of Periodontology.
The results from the study suggest that caregivers to
relatives with dementia, hypercortisolemia (overproduc-
tion of cortisol) or stress are susceptible to elevated plaque levels and increased gingi-
val bleeding.
"We found that short-term psychological stress was a risk indicator to elevated
plaque levels and long-term physical stress was a risk indicator to gingivitis," said
Fernando N. Hugo, DDS, Faculty of Dentistry of Piracicaba, Brazil.
The study indicates that the demanding task of caregiving, usually associated with
increased stress, may also be a risk factor for poor oral hygiene, and points out that
stress may contribute to a disinterest in performing oral hygiene.
"Flossing and brushing the teeth and gums had a protective effect against plaque
and gingivitis," said Steve L Wolf, DDS, Legacy Periodontics and AAP member.
"That said, future research is needed to explore the relationship between stress and
oral hygiene negligence."
In this study, 230 individuals were evaluated, and almost 52 percent were
caregivers of patients with dementia. This
group
was examined because they represent
For more information on
a well-known group suffering from the im-
Periodontal Disease or
pacts of chronic stress. The results are among
Implants contact:
the first published to suggest that caregivers of
relatives with dementia are at risk of hav-
ing more plaque and gingivitis than
Dr. Steve Wolf
non-caregivers.
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YOUR SMILE IS OURV
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STEVE c,CWOLF, D.D.S.
248.380.8020
WWW.DRWOLFPERIO.COM
23895 Now RD. SUITE 200, Novi, MI 48375
Cohen 90th
ert Cohen of Oak Park celebrated her
90th birthday on Jan. 23 at a din-
ner gathering in her honor given by
sons and daughters-in-law, Barry and Marlene
Goudsmit and Rob and Linda Goudsmit. All of
her children, grandchildren and great-grandchil-
dren extend birthday wishes and love.
Bell 90th
ilton Bell of Farmington Hills
celebrated his 90th birthday
with children, grandchildren,
other relatives and friends at a gala dinner
party at the Westchester Country Club in
Boynton Beach, Fla.
1223210
GEtasmaDA
•
EaRF32es Tcme
c-
Shown are, from
U© cal'
left, parent-mentor
Leah Trosch, Joshua
Kaufman of West
Bloomfield, Joshua
Trosch of Franklin,
Sam Grippo of
Farmington Hills and
Hillel science teacher
Karen Howard.
Day School Wins Future City Contest
Saturday, March 3
7 PM at Temple Israel
See our deity in costume as they present a
family-friendly version of the Purim story
featuring charcters from
"RaAlayim Smeichot" (Happy Feet!).
Come in costume for the
eadinA of the Meilillah!
We thank Lois & Milford Singer
for providing hamentashen
in honor of their granddaughters.
1221:4:o
64
March 1 • 2007
Temple Israel
West Bloomfield, MI
248.661.5700
www.temple-israel.orA
On Jan. 7, 10 eighth-grade students represented Hillel Day School of
Metropolitan Detroit in the Future City Competition sponsored by the
Engineering Society of Detroit. The competition culminated a semester-
long experience where the students created a futuristic city in the year
2150 using a computer simulation. The city chosen was "New Tokyo"
because of its large population and the engineering.
The Hillel students developed a scale model of their vision of New
Tokyo using mostly recycled products. The team then chose three of its
members, Sam Grippo, Joshua Kaufman and Joshua Trosch, to serve as
spokespersons during the competition. They focused on the residential,
commercial and industrial highlights of the city.
Forty-five area schools participated in the competition at Rock
Financial Showplace in Novi. The schools voted to give the Farmington
Hills-based Hillel team "The People's Choice Award" for having the best
model. The Hillel team consisted of Adam Denenberg, Andrew Goldstone,
Sam Grippo, Aaron Hovey, Joshua Kaufman, Nathan Pilcowitz, Brandon
Rottman, Rory Siman, Joshua Trosch and Bradley Tukel.
The teacher sponsor was Karen Howard. The parent mentor was Leah
Trosch.