- Main Page
- Risk Factors
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- Treatment
- Screening
- Reducing Your Risk
- Talking to Your Doctor
- Resource Guide
A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.
It is possible to develop periodontal disease with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing periodontal disease. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your dentist or healthcare provider what you can do to reduce your risk.
Lifestyle Factors
- Smoking greatly increases your risk of developing periodontal disease.
- Smoking also greatly reduces the chance that treatments for periodontal disease will be effective.
- Poor nutrition can increase your chance of periodontal disease, in particular:
- Diets high in sugar
- Diets low in vitamin C
- Just as stress can affect your bodys ability to fight off other conditions, stress can also hamper your bodys ability to fight off the infection that prompts periodontal disease.
Certain Medical Conditions
- Diabetes
- In girls and women: conditions that cause changes in hormone levels, such as
- Puberty
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Cancer
- AIDS
- Osteoporosis
- Herpes infections
- Autoimmune diseases, including
- Crohns disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- CREST syndrome(a severe type of skin disorder)
- Down syndrome
- Wegeners granulomatosis
- Amyloidosis
- Tuberculosis
- Syphilis
- Medications:
- Birth control pills
- Antidepressants
- Heart medicines
- Medications used to treat seizures
- Chemotherapy medications for cancer treatment
- Medications used to treat AIDS
- Immunosuppressant medications
Age
Your risk of developing periodontal disease increases as you age: 25% of people between 30-44 years have at least mild periodontitis40% of people between 45-54 years have at least mild periodontitis50% of people between 65-74 years have at least mild periodontitisGenderWomen are more likely than men to develop periodontitis, probably because of hormonal changes that women experience throughout their lifecycle.Genetic FactorsThere seems to be a genetic tendency for certain people to develop periodontitis.RaceAfrican-Americans and people of Hispanic origin have a higher rate of periodontitis than do Caucasian Americans.Other Other factors that may increase your risk of periodontitis include: Living in povertyGrinding your teeth and/or clenching your jawPoor dental hygieneBadly fitting dentures and/or uneven fillings or crownsHabitual mouth breathing References: American Academy of Periodontology website. Available at: http://www.perio.org/ . American Dental Association website. Available at: http://www.ada.org/ . National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research website. Available at: http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/ .
Last reviewed July 2007 by Laura Morris-Olson, DMDPlease be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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