Oral Pathogens Put Children with Down Syndrome at High Risk for Severe Early-Onset Periodontal Disease

CHICAGO – February 28, 2000 – Severe periodontal inflammation is often seen in children with Down syndrome (DS). A study released today in the February issue of the Journal of Periodontology found that various periodontal bacteria colonize in the early childhood of people with DS. And, P. gingivalis, a type of bacteria with a strong correlation to severe periodontal disease, increases in prevalence with age in those with DS, playing an important role in the onset of periodontal disease. Study Abstract *

“We suspect that several factors make people with Down syndrome susceptible to periodontal bacteria colonization and dangerous plaque formation,” said the study’s lead researcher, Atsuo Amano, D.D.S., Ph.D., assistant professor in the Division of Dentistry for the Disabled at Osaka University in Japan. “They have less immunity, experience deterioration in the mouth due to premature aging and often have inadequate oral hygiene. In addition, they are apt to have various congenital deformities in the mouth, such as short teeth, a small oral cavity, displaced and missing teeth, defective tooth enamel and fragile gingival tissue.”

While children with DS often exhibit inflammation of the gum tissue, researchers on this study believe they maintain enough immunity to protect them from severe periodontal destruction until they reach their late teens or early 20s. “Our investigation found that significant periodontal breakdown starts around age 20 in about 60 percent of individuals with DS,” said Amano.

However, Amano stresses that proper oral hygiene in these children can make a big difference in warding off periodontal disease and protecting the teeth. “Plaque control is the most effective strategy in preventing periodontal disease in the DS population,” he said. He recommends parents seek education from their dental professionals on proper brushing and flossing techniques and tools that may make this easier, such as electric toothbrushes. In addition, DS patients may require more frequent visits to their dental professional.

February is National Children’s Dental Health month. The American Academy of Periodontology is encouraging parents of children with DS to see a periodontist for a periodontal evaluation. “Early diagnosis is important for successful treatment and protecting against loss of teeth,” said Jack Caton, D.D.S., M.S., president of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP).

In addition, all children should receive a periodontal examination as part of their routine dental visit. Although there is a much lower prevalence of severe periodontal disease in children than adults, severe forms of periodontal disease do occur in some children. As these forms progress quickly, early diagnosis is key in maintaining oral health.

A referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples including one titled Periodontal Diseases in Children and Adolescents are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or visiting the AAP’s Web site at www.perio.org.

About the AAP

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is the professional organization for periodontists—specialists in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists are also dentistry’s experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. They receive three additional years of specialized training following dental school, and periodontics is one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. The AAP has 8,000 members worldwide.