Approximal plaque and gingival sulcus bleeding in routine dental care patients: relations to life stress, somatization and depression.

Objectives: Previous research on relations between life stress and periodontal conditions was often based on indicators of periodontal destruction history and stimulus-specific measures of life stress. The present study was undertaken to compare patients showing different degrees of gingival sulcus bleeding with patients without signs of bleeding, using an instrument measuring cognitive impacts of events and assessing reported symptoms of depression and somatization. Additionally the patient groups were compared with regard to dental status and dental visiting behaviour. Analog comparisons were conducted in patients with different degrees of approximal plaque. Materials and Methods: 140 rou…