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Recent evidence indicates that we need to change how we think about the etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal disease. Although bacteria are a necessary factor in the equation, the reaction of the hosts immuno-inflammatory system is responsible for most of the destruction found in periodontal disease. Thus, it makes sense that a number of environmental and acquired factors may modify a patients risk of developing periodontal disease. This paper reviews the scientific evidence for a number of these risk factors including age, genetics, smoking, diabetes mellitus, stress and osteoporosis.
MeSH Key Words: periodontal diseases; risk factors
MeSH Key Words: periodontal diseases; risk factors