Investigation of neuropathologic manifestations of oral tissues. II. The psychosomatic background of certain oral manifestations

Investigation indicates that patients who contend with emotional problems of any type are in the majority subject to gingival stromatic changes resulting in bleeeding gums and recession of the tooth-supporting structures. Psychotherapy is important as a general therapeutic measure in correcting dysfunction due to vaso disturbances. Cases of bleeding gums are frequent in the juvenile group of patients and the exciting cause is both genetic weakness and poor early environmental factors.

The mechanism of action lies within the networks of the capillary and venous terminal areas and relates to stimulation and depression of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems over long periods of time.

Most hemorrhages occur at the terminal points of the venules; they are probably due to unfavorable oxygen and carbon dioxide changes to both the endothelial cells of the capillary walls and reticular stroma.