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Risk Factors for Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is an infection in your gum tissue. Gum tissue recedes, and shallow v-shaped crevices develop between the teeth and gums. The American Dental Association website says the more severe the tissue damage, the deeper the crevices. The stages of periodontal disease are gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is reversible because the disease only affects the gums. Periodontitis is severe and destructive. Knowing the risk factors for periodontal disease can prevent this condition.

  1. Lifestyle

    • Your lifestyle increases your risk factors for periodontal disease, including smoking, nutrition, obesity and stress. On the Aurora Health Care website, Dr. Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt says that smoking not only increases your periodontal disease risks but reduces the effectiveness of periodontal treatments. A diet low in vitamin C and high in fat increases risks, and stress decreases your body's ability to fight infection. Quit smoking, eat vitamin C-rich foods and learn stress management tools to reduce lifestyle risks for periodontal disease.

    Health Conditions

    • Diabetes and osteoporosis increase your risk factors for developing periodontal disease. Diabetes damages the mouth if blood sugar is not under control. According to the American Academy of Periodontology website, osteoporosis causes bone density to decrease, so teeth don't have a solid foundation. Maintain your blood sugar levels by following diabetic treatment outlined by your doctor. Hormone replacement therapy can provide some protection against osteoporosis-related tooth disease.

    Medication

    • Risk factors for periodontal disease increase if you take medications for certain health conditions. Dr. Carson-DeWitt says these include birth control pills, antidepressants, heart medications, seizure medications, chemotherapy drugs, AIDS medications and immunosuppressant medications use for organ transplant patients, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease. Talk to dentist about your medication regimen and, if necessary, talk to your doctor about changing medications.

    Age and Gender

    • Periodontal disease risks increase with age. According to Dr. Carson-DeWitt, 25 percent of people between the ages of 30 and 44 have mild periodontitis, 40 percent between the ages of 45 and 54 have mild cases and 50 percent of people between the ages of 65 and 74 have mild periodontitis. Women suffer from periodontal disease more than men because of hormonal shifts caused by menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.

    Clenching/Grinding Teeth

    • Grinding at night and clenching your teeth when stressed increases your periodontal disease risk. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, you place excessive force on the tissue that supports your teeth when you grind or clench your teeth, speeding up the rate of periodontal tissue damage. Wearing mouth guards at night prevents grinding and learning to relax your jaw prevents clenching.

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