Are you at increased risk for periodontal disease?

Assessing patients at increased risk is an integral part of diagnosing and treating periodontal disease. In 1996 seven panels of experts from many different countries identified key factors that increased a person's risk of developing periodontal disease. If you have any of these, you should have regular periodontal examinations by a qualified periodontist or dentist.

These risk factors include...

» Smoking
» Diabetes
» Microbial tooth deposits: plaque and/or tarter
» Poor brushing or irregular flossing habits
» Previous periodontal disease or pathogenic oral bacteria
» Osteoporosis
» HIV or AIDS

Periodontal disease might affect your overall health...

If you have periodontal disease, you may have a greater risk of a number of serious health conditions.

> Periodontal Disease and your health