# Prevention of Initial Periodontitis Is an Investment in the Future

## TL;DR

The study shows that measuring aMMP-8 in mouth rinses can help identify adolescents at risk of periodontitis, enabling early prevention.

## Contribution

The study introduces aMMP-8 as a reliable biomarker for early detection of periodontitis in adolescents.

## Key findings

- aMMP-8 test positivity is more strongly associated with initial periodontitis than bleeding on probing.
- Approximately 10% of adolescents showed subclinical periodontitis and were at risk despite not being sick.
- Bacterial plaques, elevated aMMP-8, smoking, and male sex are key risk factors for initial periodontitis.

## Abstract

Background: Periodontal tissue damage is mainly caused by the active form of collagenolytic matrix metalloproteinase-8, aMMP-8, the concentration of which in the mouth rinse can be measured with a mouth rinse chairside-test. The mouth rinse chair side test can be used to identify adolescents with a risk of periodontitis. Methods: The data were collected at the Kotka Health Centre (2004–2005, N = 501 and 2014–2015, N = 47) and at the Hämeenlinna Health Centre (2017–2018, N = 125) consisting of adolescents aged 14–17. They underwent a complete periodontal examination, and some were subjected to the aMMP-8-test. Results: We identified bacterial plaques in combination with increased bleeding on probing (BOP), elevated aMMP-8 concentration, smoking and male sex as the main risk factors for initial periodontitis. Approximately 10% of adolescents had subclinical periodontitis, they were not periodontally healthy, but also not sick. They may not develop periodontitis, but they are at the risk. The aMMP-8 test positivity had a stronger association with initial periodontitis than BOP. Conclusions: In addition to identifying risk factors, these adolescents need individual prevention and, if necessary, early treatment. For the periodontal health biomarker aMMP-8, test negativity ([-], ≤20 ng/mL) should be sought.