Periodontal Dentistry

Periodontal Disease Risk Factors

Periodontal disease can develop 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, call us to schedule an appointment. We can advise you on what you can do to reduce your risk.

Lifestyle Factors

Smoking —Smoking greatly increases your risk of developing periodontal disease. It also greatly reduces the chance that treatments for periodontal disease will be effective.
Poor nutrition—An unhealthy diet (eg, one that is high in fat and low in vitamin C ) can increase your chance of periodontal disease.
Stress—Stress can hamper your body’s ability to fight off the infection that prompts periodontal disease.

Conditions

Diabetes
In girls and women: conditions that cause
changes in hormone levels (i.e. Puberty,
Pregnancy and Menopause)
Cancer
HIV/AIDS
Osteoporosis

Herpes infections
Autoimmune diseases
Down syndrome
Wegener’s granulomatosis
Amyloidosis
Tuberculosis
Syphilis

Medications

Taking certain medications can increase your risk of developing periodontal disease, such as:

Birth control pills
Antidepressants
Heart medicines
Seizure medications
Chemotherapy
Medications used to treat AIDS
Immunosuppressant medications

Sex

Females are more likely than men to develop periodontitis, probably because of hormonal changes that women experience throughout their life cycle.

Genetic Factors

Studies have shown that there seems to be a genetic tendency for certain people to develop periodontitis.

Race

African Americans and people of Hispanic origin have a higher rate of periodontitis than do Caucasian Americans

Other Factors

Other factors that may increase your risk of periodontitis include:

Living in poverty
Poor dental hygiene
Having badly fitting dentures and/or uneven fillings or crowns
Being a habitual mouth breathing

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