Why is it that although I brush my teeth twice a day and see my dentist regulary, I still developed periodontal disease, yet my friend who rarley sees the dentist has no periodontal problems?
Each individual has a unique genetic predisposition to either be susceptible to or resistant to periodontal disease. Just as some people you know seem to always get sore throats or the Flu while others never do, some of us are genetically more likely to develop periodontal disease than others. Also, systemic factors such as diabetes, stress, pregnancy, and certain medications can also reduce one’s resistance to periodontal disease. Since periodontal diseases are infections caused by bacteria, anything that weakens one’s resistance can increase the risk of getting, and severity of, periodontal disease. Keep in mind that periodontal disease is rarely painful, often unnoticed by the affected individual until the later stages, and more common with age. Maybe your friend should have a comprehensive periodontal examination to assess their present health status.
