Define risk factors and risk indicators for periodontal diseases

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Risk indicators are demographic, behavioral, and socioeconomic characteristics that are associated with disease but are not considered the cause of the disease. For example, aging is a risk indicator for periodontal disease, but does not cause the disease. With increasing age, the prevalence of periodontal disease increases, but the aging process is not responsible for the disease. It is important to understand that risk factors are associated with a disease but do not necessarily cause the disease (e.g., diabetes). Identifying causal relationships may help some oral diseases. Risk factors may be modifiable or nonmodifiable. Modifiable risk factors are usually environmental or behavioral in nature, such as smoking, whereas nonmodifiable risk factors are usually intrinsic to the individual and therefore not easily changed, such as age. Nonmodifiable risk factors are also referred to as determinants. Examples of risk factors that may increase the prevalence of periodontal diseases include dental plaque, smoking, and diabetes mellitus.