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Last update : September 20, 2010
Risk factors
Certain factors associated with your daily life influence the appearance and development of periodontal disease; these may be risk factors or aggravating factors.
Tobacco:
If you smoke, you increase the risk of suffering from severe periodontitis by a factor of 2.5 to 6 relative to non-smokers. You have more tartar and a greater gap between gum and teeth than non-smokers. The progression of bone loss is faster in smokers and stabilisation more difficult to achieve. Tobacco weaning has a virtually immediate effect on the response of periodontitis to treatments.
Diabetes:
Uncontrolled, or poorly controlled diabetes increases the risk of periodontitis, and this independently of biofilm or tartar. The risk of periodontitis is of 60% in diabetic individuals, compared to 36% in non-diabetics.
Dental hygiene:
The presence of deep pockets and loss of adherence is associated with the presence of biofilm and tartar. The better your dental hygiene, the better your periodontal status: less bleeding, fewer deep pockets and less need for complex treatment. Regular check-ups by your dental surgeon are necessary for correct assessment of your oral health.
Over-aggressive brushing:
Incorrect use of the toothbrush and other cleaning means may cause lesions favourable to the development of periodontal disease.
It is not necessary to brush harder, but rather more often and longer.
Age:
Periodontal disease becomes more pronounced with age (increased number of affected teeth, deep pockets and bone loss). Furthermore, the presence of gingivitis during childhood would appear to predispose to the development of periodontal disease.
Gender:
On average, men have more plaque and suffer more from gingivitis and periodontal pockets than women. In children and teenagers, boys generally have more plaque and display more bleeding and pockets than girls. This better periodontal status in girls is linked to better dental hygiene
References :
Wolf HF, et al. Parodontologie. 3rd Ed. Paris, Masson; 2005. p.79-84.
ANAES. Parodontopathies : diagnostic et traitements. Mai 2002.
Lézy JP, Princ G. Pathologie maxillo-faciale et stomatologie. Abrégés. 3rd Ed. Paris, Masson : 2004. p.79-94.
Bercy P. Examen parodontal, diagnostic, pronostic et plan de traitement. In Bercy P, Tenenbaum H. Parodontologie, du diagnostic à la pratique. 1st Ed. Bruxelles, De Boeck Université; 1996. p.65-81.
