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The risk factors that increase the chance of developing Periodontal Disease (PD) are many. Some of the major ones are:
**Genetics – Some people have a greater genetic predisposition to developing a more aggressive, severe type of Periodontal Disease. People with a family history of tooth loss and dentures should be diligent in their efforts to control PD.
**Tobacco – People that chew or smoke tobacco have a greater chance to develop PD, and the effects are usually greater – deeper gum pockets due to increased amounts of plaque and tartar; more loss of bone and soft tissue that support the teeth.
**Medical Conditions – Systemic (the whole body) diseases such as diabetes, cancer, HIV, blood cell disorders, and AIDS, and the treatment for some of these, can lower one’s resistance to infections, making PD more severe.
**Stress – Stress reduces the body’s natural defenses, including the ability to fight off infection. Thus, when under stress, you have an increased chance of developing PD.
**Medications – An increasing number of drugs (antidepressants, steroids, blood pressure drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some heart medications, some anti-epilepsy drugs) can decrease the saliva flow creating a drier mouth than normal. Saliva has a cleansing and protective effect on the gums and teeth. A lack of saliva allows plaque to accumulate on the teeth and gums and cause inflammation and decay.
**Hormonal Changes in Females – Puberty, pregnancy and oral contraceptives change the body’s hormone levels. These changes cause the gums to become hypersensitive to the slightest levels of plaque and tartar.
**Ill-fitting Dentistry – Old fillings, crowns, and bridges may harbor more plaque and increase the liklihood of developing periodontal disease.
**Crowded Teeth – The tongue rubbing on the back side of the teeth, and the cheeks and lips rubbing on the front side of the teeth, have a self-cleansing effect on the teeth. When the teeth are crowded and overlapped, this self-cleansing doesn’t happen very well, and there is an increased chance of decay and gum problems due to plaque retention.
**Insurance Dependency – People that count on their insurance for all the answers are often the patients with the most problems – gum problems, decay problems, and missing teeth problems. The insurance companies write the rule on whether they will have to pay out some of your premium dollars to help get you healthier. If you need to have your teeth cleaned 4 times a year and your insurance only pays for 2 times a year, it does NOT mean you can only get your teeth cleaned twice a year. DON’T be insurance dependent. In today’s market you want to maximize your insurance. But, insurance allowance is a help in covering some of the cost of treatment, not a pay-all.
We talked previously about periodontal disease and its effect on our overall health. Let’s take some time to explain what is periodontal disease (PD). Periodontal Disease ranges from simple gum inflammation (gingivitis), to serious disease that results in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth (periodontitis). An estimated 75-80% of adults in America have some level of PD (epidemic proportions). Because there is no pain until the condition is at a very advanced stage, most people are not aware they are infected with PD. Our mouths are full of bacteria, which along with mucus and other particles (tissue particles, food particles), constantly form a sticky, colorless “plaque” on our teeth. Brushing and flossing help get rid of plaque which, if not removed, can harden into bacteria-harboring “tartar”. The tartar cannot be brushed away. It must be removed by a professional dental cleaning (Thank goodness for dental hygienists!)
See my website for more information on Periodontal Disease
