Periodontal diseases: is it possible to prevent them? A populational and individual approach.

Periodontal diseases are infectious inflammatory chronic diseases of a multifactorial nature. They are primarily caused by dysbiotic ecological changes in dental biofilm, which may be influenced by risk factors. The prevention of periodontal diseases may involve different strategies focused on reducing distal, intermediate, and proximal risk factors at both the population and individual levels. Effective prevention depends on interdisciplinary and common risk factor approaches. Also, patient-centered preventive models are more effective than professional-centered models in the management of periodontal diseases. Regular and periodic control of dental biofilm is an essential measure for the different levels of prevention of periodontal diseases. The effectiveness of periodontal disease prevention largely depends on positive modifications of behavior, knowledge, health literacy, patient empowerment, motivation, and compliance.