Medical Health Encyclopedia

Oral Contraceptives. One study reported that taking oral contraceptives containing the synthetic progesterone desogestrel (but not dienogest, another common progesterone) increased the risk for periodontal disease.

Menopause. Estrogen deficiency after menopause reduces bone mineral density, which can lead to bone loss. Bone loss is associated both with periodontal disease and osteoporosis. A 2005 study found that bone loss in the alveolar bone (which holds the tooth in place) was a major predictor of tooth loss in postmenopausal women. Periodontal disease is the main cause of alveolar bone loss. During menopause, some women may also develop a rare condition called menopausal gingivostomatitis, in which the gums are dry, shiny, and bleed easily. Women may also experience abnormal tastes and sensations (such as salty, spicy, acidic, burning) in the mouth.

Family Factors

Periodontal disease often occurs in members of the same family. Genetics, intimacy, hygiene, or a mixture of factors may be responsible. Studies have found that children of parents with periodontitis were 12 times more likely to have the bacteria thought to be responsible for causing plaque and, eventually, periodontal disease.

Text Continues Below

---

Genetic Factors. According to a 2000 study, genetic factors may play the critical role in half the cases of periodontal disease. Up to 30% of the population may have some genetic susceptibility to periodontal disease. For example, some people with severe periodontal disease have genetic factors that affect an immune factor known as interleukin-1 (IL-1), a cytokine involved in the inflammatory response. Such individuals are up to 20 times more likely to develop advanced periodontitis than those without such genes. Early onset and rapidly progressive periodontal disease also have strong genetic components.