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| Risk Factors of Periodontal Disease | For development of periodontal disease specific species of bacteria must be present, but frequently other risk factors must be present as well. In actual fact, 80% of people with gum disease have as a minimum one of the following risk factors that makes them vulnerable. Numerous factors are often involved. For instance, stress, poor diet, smoking and viral infections all play a role in sensitive necrotizing gingivitis. Apart from bacteria, age, poor dental hygiene and poor nutrition, the main risk factors are:
Genetic factors
Investigations of identical twins, family histories and genetic diseases all indicate that heredity is a risk factor in approximately 50% of patients with periodontal disease. The heredity factors involved are most likely negligible defects in the work of the immune system. Patients with these irregularities cannot drive away the bacteria that are responsible for creating plaque and periodontal disease even with good oral hygiene. Due to this fact it becomes clear why children of parents with periodontitis are 12 times more likely to develop these dangerous bacteria.
Other family factors
Scientists have discovered that the bacteria that trigger gum disease present in the saliva and can be transmitted from one person to another. That’s why, the American Academy of Periodontology advices if one family member has periodontal disease, all family members should be screened for the disease. It is interesting that in the United States, African-Americans and Mexican-Americans have a little higher risk of developing periodontal disease than Caucasians. Moreover, these groups also tend to have more advanced disease. It’s unclear whether these dissimilarities are because of ethnicity or to such factors as level of education and frequency of visits to the dentist.
Smoking
The more you smoke, the higher the risk and the more serious the disease. Smokers are much more likely than non-smokers to have tartar form on their teeth, have deeper sacks between the teeth and gums, and lose more of the bone and tissue that hold the teeth. In actual fact, smoking can result in receding gums and bone loss even in the absence of periodontal disease. Studies have proved that smoking suppresses the production of antibodies directed against some of the dangerous bacteria, which permits them to grow more easily. Smoking also encourages inflammation and increases bone loss. Because of this, quitting has become an important part of preventing and managing periodontal disease.
Female hormones
Anything that triggers a modification in the level of female sex hormones (such process as puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause and the use of oral contraceptives) makes women more susceptible for the reason that these changes make the gums more sensitive to irritants and plaque.
Medical conditions
Such medical conditions as diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, inflammatory bowel disease, Down's syndrome and AIDS are just some that make people more susceptible to periodontal disease. Studies demonstrate that diabetes increases susceptibility and harshness of gum disease by diminishing the function of definite immune cells and reducing the production of collagen and bone. Now research shows the relationship between the two diseases goes both ways. Gum disease may make it more complicated for diabetics to manage their blood sugar. The loss of minerals from bones, seen in osteoporosis, is thought to make bones supporting the teeth more susceptible to bacterial infection, intensifying the risk of gum disease and tooth loss.
Obesity
Excess weight may also predispose a person to gum disease.
Stress and grinding teeth
Emotional stress may enlarge your risk for periodontal disease by affecting the immune system, making it more prone for a bacterial infection to take hold. The mechanical stress of grinding and clenching teeth provide force on the gums and other supporting tissues and may weaken your teeth. Sometimes a mouth guard worn during sleep is essential.
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