What is the periodontal disease risk for patients with Down syndrome compared to the general population?

Patients with Down syndrome have a significantly elevated risk for periodontal disease. Contributing factors include: impaired neutrophil function (chemotaxis and phagocytosis defects), altered T-cell immune responses, increased susceptibility to bacterial infections, mouth breathing (which causes gingival inflammation), poor oral hygiene (due to intellectual disability), and anatomical factors such as macroglossia and hypotonia. Periodontal disease in Down syndrome is often severe and early-onset, similar to aggressive periodontitis. Regular preventive dental care and meticulous oral hygiene instruction (often caregiver-assisted) are essential.