Stress
Canker sores and stress have been the subject of some research, although a definite link between them has yet to be established. Studies in Dentistry reveal that patients with recurrent mouth sores show higher levels of stress and depression. Stress may lead to bruxism or the grinding or clenching of teeth. Because bruxism is often a nocturnal habit, it is common for people to grind or clench their teeth when they are anxious or tense before bed. This response can cause inflammation of the teeth and gums and lead to a morning headache, painful jaw, throbbing teeth, or severe mouth sores.
Furthermore, the effects of stress, sadness, and anxiety were linked to the sympathetic nervous system. An impaired immune system cannot quickly repair the inflammations and infection in the body, leading to a lingering or recurrent mouth sore. One of the uncommon symptoms of mental distress is the development of cold sores and mouth ulcers, the two forms of mouth sores. In addition, salivary cortisol levels are also prevalent in patients with recurrent mouth sores. Cortisol, a steroid hormone, is released into saliva by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal or HPA axis in response to psychological or physiological stress.
