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      N ot everyone is equally susceptible to periodontal disease. For example, men have higher rates of periodontal disease than women. In addition, people of different races and ethnicities also differ interms of their oral health.  A study published in the Journal of Periodontology reports that while 25 percent of non Hispanic whites age 30 to 54 in the United States have periodontitis, 35 percent of Mexican Americans and 42 percent of African Americans in this same age group have the disease. The trend continues as the groups age, with 47 percent of whites age 55 to 90 having periodontitis, compared with 59 percent of Mexican Americans and 70 percent of blacks. The reasons for the significant differences between racial groups remain a mystery. It may be a compilation of reasons, such as less use of dental services and different inflammatory responses. For example, 53 percent of Hispanics report having annual dental visits, compared with 68 percent of nonHispanic whites.
     The Human Genome Project, a major initiative to map the genetic components of humans, has declared that genetic factors contribute to virtua1ly every human disease, increasing susceptibility or resistance or influencing the interaction with the environment. The project has also determined that racial/ethnic groups are more alike than different. However, clusters of the population may have a greater prevalence of certain diseases. In addition to higher rates of periodontal disease, Mexican Americans and blacks have higher rates of diabetes. Diabetics are at a higher risk of developing periodontal disease, likely due to an increased susceptibility to contracting. No matter how susceptible you may be to periodontal disease, if the bacteria responsible for the disease are kept under control with good oral hygiene and frequent dental visits, you are not sentenced to a life with periodontal disease. Recognizing your risk factors may help you control for them, so talk to your periodontist about them.