Prevention of periodontal disease in the future

Existing knowledge about periodontal disease is sufficient to permit the interested individual to carry out a preventive program which can result in preventing the major forms of the disease from developing. It is likely that the sooner such a program is started in a person's lifetime, the likelier it is to succeed. With the additional knowledge obtained from current avenues of research, clinical microbiology and immunology will become applicable to the management of selected forms of periodontal disease, both for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Some of the information gained may help in fostering the establishment of a desirable microbial flora and in better control of potentially pathogenic strains. The implementation of an effective preventive program for periodontal and other dental diseases will vary on a regional basis depending on political, economic, social and ethical considerations.