Dentist
Southern California including Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, Beverly Hills, Valencia and Hollywood, California
Periodontal Disease
If you are Stressed you should read this!
By Christopher Cook, RDH
It is widely acknowledged that individuals are not equally susceptible to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is primarily caused by an overgrowth of periodontal bacteria. However, we now know that the presence of these bacteria is not enough to activate the destructive process. Other factors, including acquired, environmental and genetic risk factors are what tip the scales from health to disease in any given individual.
Some risk factors have been proven by clinical studies to increase the risk for the onset, progression and severity of periodontal disease including diabetes, smoking, immunocompromised conditions and a genetic predisposition. These studies revealed that smokers are 4 times more likely to have periodontal disease than non-smokers. Uncontrolled diabetics have a much greater risk for progressive bone loss (periodontal disease) compared to well-controlled diabetics, with an odds ratio of 11.4 to 2.2 respectively. Genetically predisposed individuals are 3 times more likely to have moderate to severe periodontal disease and if they smoke the odds increase to 7.7.
Today, clinicians commonly perform risk assessment for their patients with respect to the conditions mentioned above. However, stress is often overlooked. The role of psychosocial stress in the onset of periodontal disease has been proposed by many authors for about 50 years. Recent studies have shown that stress may favor the development of many bacterial infections and reduces your body's ability to fight infection. Unfortunately, due to a lack of research the science is still somewhat "fuzzy". That having been said it should be understood that psychosocial stress may be a potent variable in modifying the risk for periodontal disease.
Additionally, it is likely that systemic diseases that are associated with periodontal disease such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, pre-term delivery and osteoporosis may share psychosocial stress as a common risk factor. Bottom line: stress is an important factor that must be part of the risk assessment for periodontal disease and may even be pivotal in pointing patients in the direction of greater systemic health as well.
Christopher Cook is a Registered Dental Hygienist with A Unique Dental ExperienceŽ in Santa Clarita. He serves patients from Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Valencia, and Hollywood, California. Visit the office website - www.drdell.com, or call (661) 254-4000 for more information. Free consultations from our Hollywood Dentist are available!
