Risk Factors

Understand them. . .
Because skinny doesn't always mean healthy!

There have been extensive clinical trials done relating to the identification and the correlation of the significance of risk factors associated with dental caries. Professor John Featherstone, University of California, San Francisco, has been a leader in this research.

In the absence of disease factors, there are known risk factors that can contribute to the bacterial imbalance that lead to new cavities, these include heavy visible plaque, deep pits and fissures, inadequate saliva flow, exposed roots, appliances present, Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD or Reflux), Sjogren’s Syndrome, hyposalivary medications, radiation therapy, frequent snacking between meals, acidic beverages, and the use of recreational drugs.

Identification of risk factors is an effective way to educate patients of their responsibilities in maintaining a healthy oral environment. Maintaining healthy teeth requires more than just daily brushing.

Minimizing or eliminating these risk factors can be difficult for some patients, so a level of counseling is required with the provision for a review at set periods. Medication induced risk factors that cannot be changed still need to be identified as additional protective factors can be used as a counter measure, correcting the bacterial imbalance.