10 Risk Factors for Periodontal Disease

Risk Factors for Periodontal Disease

Definitions:
- Risk Factor: Any attribute, characteristic, or exposure associated with an increased likelihood of developing disease or injury.
- Etiologic Factor: Any attribute, characteristic, or exposure known to cause disease.

Key Pathogens Involved in Periodontal Disease:
- Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans
- Tannerella forsythia
- Porphyromonas gingivalis

Heredity: Genetic factors contributing to periodontal disease.
Immune Deficiency: Includes conditions that weaken the immune system.
Genetic Syndromes: Specific syndromes that increase susceptibility to periodontal disease.
Systemic Disease:
- Diabetes: Linked to higher risks of periodontal disease.
Medications: Some can exacerbate oral health problems.
Habits:
- Self-Care: Adequacy of plaque control.
- Professional Care: Frequency of dental recalls.
Lifestyle Factors:
- Smoking: Strongly associated with negative periodontal health outcomes.
- Alcohol: Consumption patterns impacting oral health.
- Diet: Nutritional influence on overall health and immunity.
Social Atmosphere:
- Family background and upbringing.
- Cultural influences.
- Socioeconomic factors affecting access to dental care, including dental insurance.

Local Factors: Include both modifiable and non-modifiable factors.
- Acquired Factors:
- Presence of plaque and calculus.
- Partial dentures.
- Open contacts, overhanging, and poorly contoured restorations.
- Anatomical Factors:
- Malpositioned teeth.
- Furcations, root grooves, and concavities.
- Enamel pearls.
Systemic Factors:
- Modifiable Factors:
- Smoking.
- Diabetes.
- Poor diet & certain medications.
- Stress.
- Non-modifiable Factors:
- Genetics, age, pregnancy, hormonal changes, leukemia, and obesity.

Acquired: Calculus, overhanging restorations, poorly contoured restorations.
Anatomic: Malpositioned teeth, root grooves, concavities, and furcations.

**Conditions: **
- Uncontrolled diabetes.
- Hormonal changes affecting gum health.
- Stress-related influences.
- Systemic bone disorders.
- Neutrophilic disorders linked to periodontitis.

Significance: Recognized as the most significant risk factor for the development of periodontitis.
Impact: Has profound effects on the development and treatment outcomes of periodontitis.

Effects on Oral Health: Certain medications can lead to gingival enlargement.
Examples of Medications Contributing to Gingival Changes:
- Calcium channel blockers.
- Anticonvulsants.
- Immunosuppressants.

Definition: Physiological mechanism that maintains homeostasis within the body's internal environment.