Effect of mental arithmetic stress on periodontal sensation in the upper molar and tactile sensation in the cheek

Abstract

This study examined the absolute threshold of periodontal sensation (ATPS) in the upper molars and the difference threshold of tactile sensation (DTTS) in the cheek skin before and after mental arithmetic stress.Twenty participants (10 men and 10 women; median age: 24.5 years) and 13 healthy individuals (eight men and five women; median age: 24.0 years) underwent ATPS measurement using the staircase method and DTTS using the method of limits. These tests were conducted before and after 10 min of mental arithmetic task. Psychological state was evaluated by comparing heart rate and blood pressure. Induction of mental stress was confirmed by significant activation of the cardiovascular system after the mental arithmetic task.Although ATPS showed a statistically significant increase after mental stress (P = 0.01), DTTS showed no significant change (P > 0.05).This study revealed that the influence of psychological state tended to appear in the perception of force exerted on the teeth. Therefore, periodontal sensation may be blunted by mental stress, even in healthy individuals. Patients may be exposed to mental stress during dental and oral maxillofacial treatment, and the occlusal sensory threshold may be altered; therefore, caution is essential during prosthetic and other occlusion‐related treatments.