Genetics

STUDY FINDS SUBSTANTIAL GENETIC BASIS FOR RISK OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE
CHICAGO – November 30, 2000 – New research provides further evidence that a person's genes play a major role in the onset and severity of periodontal disease. The study, published in a new issue of the Journal of Periodontology released today, concluded that approximately half of the variance in periodontal disease in the population could be attributed to genetic differences.

The study examined periodontal health in 64 pairs of identical and 53 pairs of fraternal twins. The study found that between 48 and 59 percent of the differences in measures of periodontal disease, such as attachment loss and probing depth could be attributed to genetics. When correlating eight different clinical measures for periodontal disease among the two types of twins, all eight measures were statistically significant in the identical twins, while only two measures were significantly greater than zero in the fraternal twins

FAMILIES AND PERIODONTAL DISEASE
Chicago – October 13, 1997 – Several recent studies support the association between periodontal (gum) disease and family members.

Periodontal Disease Transmitted Between Family Members:

• Periodontal (gum) disease may be passed from parents to children and between a couple, according to an article in the September 1997 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association.
• Researchers suggest bacteria that cause periodontal disease pass though saliva. This means that the common contact of saliva in families puts children and couples at risk for contracting the periodontal disease of another family member. Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss.

Genetic Marker Discovered for Periodontal Disease:

• Up to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to developing severe periodontal disease, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology. These findings could result in the early identification and treatment of at-risk patients.

Recommendation:

• Based on this research, The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) recognizes that treatment of gum disease may involve entire families. If one family member has periodontal disease, the AAP recommends that all family members see a dental professional for a periodontal disease screening.