Periodontal disease is the most common chronic inflammatory disease seen in humans. It is a major public health concern, and in its severe form affects approximately 10.8% or 743 million people aged 15−99 worldwide. Trends such as the rise of smoking in developing countries, the obesity and diabetes epidemic, coupled with an ageing population with greater tooth retention, are all likely to increase the burden of periodontitis still further in the UK and worldwide. Consequences of periodontitis include hypermobility of teeth, tooth migration, drifting and eventual tooth loss. Tooth loss can directly affect the quality of life of a person in terms of reduced functional capacity, self-esteem and social relationships.
CPD/Clinical Relevance: This article reports the prevalence of periodontal disease in the UK and worldwide, along with the consequences of periodontitis. The importance of timely diagnosis to avoid litigation is discussed, as is the importance of effective management of periodontitis in order to improve patients' oral health-related quality of life.
Article
Periodontal disease is the most common chronic inflammatory disease seen in humans. It is a major public health concern, affecting nearly half of adults in the UK.1 Consequences of periodontitis include tooth loss, compromised speech, disability, masticatory dysfunction, poor nutritional status and a reduced quality of life.2 Periodontal disease is a non-communicable disease (NCD) that shares social determinants and risk factors with other chronic inflammatory diseases such as cardiovascular disease,3 type II diabetes,4 chronic kidney disease5 and other chronic diseases.6 Risk factors such as tobacco smoking, obesity, poor nutritional status and physical inactivity have all been associated with an increased risk of periodontitis.7 Trends in these risk factors, such as the rise of smoking in developing countries, combined with the obesity and diabetes epidemic, is likely to increase the incidence and prevalence of periodontitis still further.
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