Periodontal Disease - Risk Factors

Highlights	Complications	Other Treatments
Introduction	Prevention	Resources
Symptoms	Diagnosis	References
Causes	Treatment
Risk Factors	Medications

Risk Factors

More than 75% of American adults have some form of gum disease, but according to a major survey, only 60% have any significant knowledge about the problem. It should be noted that gum inflammation and ulcers are common and not all people with these problems develop periodontal disease. Still about 30% of people are genetically susceptible to periodontal disease. Other factors also put individuals at higher risk.

Oral Environment

Lack of Oral Hygiene. Lack of oral hygiene encourages bacterial buildup and plaque formation.

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Sugar and Acid. The bacteria that cause periodontal disease thrive in acidic environments. Therefore, eating sugars and other foods that increase the acidity in the mouth increase bacterial counts.

Poorly Contoured Restorations. Poorly contoured restorations (fillings or crowns) that provide traps for debris and plaque can also contribute to its formation.

Anatomical Tooth Abnormalities. Abnormal tooth structure can increase the risk.

Wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, can be a major breeding ground for the bacteria that cause periodontal disease. In fact, for patients in their 20s, periodontal disease is most likely to occur around the wisdom teeth. Research suggests that periodontitis can occur in wisdom teeth that have broken through the gum as well as teeth that are impacted (buried). Periodontal disease can also be present even in patients with wisdom teeth who do not have any symptoms. Experts recommend that adolescents and young adults with wisdom teeth should have a dentist check for signs of periodontal disease

Age

Children and Adolescents. Gingivitis, in varying degrees, is nearly a universal finding in children and adolescents. In rare genetic cases, children and adolescents are subject to destructive forms of the disease. Researchers have also observed some of the organisms seen in periodontal disease in young children without signs of gum problems. Healthy children, however, do not, generally harbor two primary periodontal bacteria, P. gingivalis and T. denticola. The disease is also uncommon in teenagers.

Adults. One survey reported that 3.6% of adults between the ages 18 and 34 had periodontal disease. As people age, the risk for periodontal disease increases. Over half of American adults have gingivitis surrounding3 to 4 teeth and 30% have significant periodontal disease surrounding an average of3 to4 teeth. In a study of people over 70 years old, 86% had at least moderate periodontitis and over a quarter of them have lost their teeth.