Risk Factors for Periodontal Disease

A poor brushing routine that does not disrupt or remove plaque on a daily basis causes the most cases of periodontal disease. Other risk factors, especially when combined with poor brushing habits, may also cause the disease.

• Tobacco use, including cigars, cigarettes and chewing tobacco^{17, 18}
• Alcohol abuse²⁰
• Genetics¹⁸
• Systemic diseases such as diabetes^{17, 18}
• Some types of medications such as steroids, some types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers, sex hormones and oral contraceptives^{17, 18}
• Bridges that no longer fit properly¹⁷
• Crooked and overlapping teeth¹⁷
• Fillings that have deteriorated or become defective¹⁷
• Pregnancy¹⁷
• Stress¹⁹

The effects of periodontal disease reach far beyond the oral cavity. Increasing evidence indicates that periodontal disease may be linked to systemic diseases.