Relationship between stress associated with academic activities, oral contraceptives and oral homeostasis

• Grant number: 10/12260-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2010
• End date: November 30, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Dental Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Fernanda Klein Marcondes
• Grantee: Augusto Rodrigues Lima
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba (FOP). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Halitosis is the emanation of malodours from the oral cavity and can have major detrimental social implications for the sufferer and significant impact on normal social interactions. In most cases, their origin is related to the action of Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria in the oral cavity, which degrade sulfur-containing amino acids, producing volatile sulfur compounds (VSC). However, many patients complain about bad breath and do not show obvious clinical cause. So, emotional changes, such as stress and anxiety, have been related to its production, although there are few studies about this relationship. Hormonal changes of menstrual cycle, combined with emotional tensions, which seem to intensify during the premenstrual period, can be considered potent stressor agents to the female beyond induce changes in oral microflora that may cause halitosis. However, little is known about the influence of oral contraceptives on the oral homeostasis and its relationship with emotional changes. Thus, our aim is to investigate the relationship between emotional changes, associated with academic activities, and volatile sulfur compounds production, in women using oral contraceptives. (AU)