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 What are Periodontal
Diseases?
Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis
and periodontitis, are serious infections that, left untreated, can
lead to tooth loss. The word periodontal literally means "around
the tooth." Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection
that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth.
Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. It
begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film that
constantly forms on your teeth) causes the gums to become inflamed.
In the mildest form of the disease, gingivitis, the gums redden,
swell and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort.
Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Gingivitis
is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home
care.
Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. With time,
plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by
the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. The toxins stimulate a
chronic inflammatory response in which the body in essence turns on
itself, and the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken
down and destroyed. Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets
(spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected. As the
disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone
are destroyed. Often, this destructive process has very mild
symptoms. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be
removed.
Following are some of the procedures that periodontists use to
treat patients diagnosed with a periodontal (gum) disease. The main
cause of periodontal disease is bacteria in the form of a sticky,
colorless plaque that constantly forms on your teeth; however, many
other factors can cause periodontal (gum) disease or influence its
progression.
Causes of Periodontal
Disease
The main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial
plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your
teeth. However, factors like the following also affect the health
of your gums:
Smoking/Tobacco Use
As you probably already know, tobacco use is linked with
many serious illnesses such as cancer, lung disease and heart
disease, as well as numerous other health problems. What you may
not know is that tobacco users also are at increased risk for
periodontal disease. In fact, recent studies have shown that
tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the
development and progression of periodontal disease.
Genetics
Research proves that up to 30% of the population may be
genetically susceptible to gum disease. Despite aggressive oral
care habits, these people may be six times more likely to develop
periodontal disease. Identifying these people with a genetic test
before they even show signs of the disease and getting them into
early interventive treatment may help them keep their teeth for a
lifetime.
Pregnancy
and Puberty
As a woman, you know that your health needs are unique. You know
that brushing and flossing daily, a healthy diet, and regular
exercise are all important to help you stay in shape. You also know
that at specific times in your life, you need to take extra care of
yourself. Times when you mature and change, for example, puberty or
menopause, and times when you have special health needs, such as
menstruation or pregnancy. During these particular times, your body
experiences hormonal changes. These changes can affect many of the
tissues in your body, including your gums. Your gums can become
sensitive, and at times react strongly to the hormonal
fluctuations. This may make you more susceptible to gum disease.
Additionally, recent studies suggest that pregnant women with gum
disease are seven times more likely to deliver preterm, low birth
weight babies.
Stress
As you probably already know, stress is linked to many serious
conditions such as hypertension, cancer, and numerous other health
problems. What you may not know is that stress also is a risk
factor for periodontal disease. Research demonstrates that stress
can make it more difficult for the body to fight off infection,
including periodontal diseases.
Medications
Some drugs, such as oral contraceptives, anti-depressants, and
certain heart medicines, can affect your oral health. Just as you
notify your pharmacist and other health care providers of all
medicines you are taking and any changes in your overall health,
you should also inform your dental care provider.
Clenching or
Grinding Your Teeth
Has anyone ever told you that you grind your teeth at night? Is
your jaw sore from clenching your teeth when you're taking a test
or solving a problem at work? Clenching or grinding your teeth can
put excess force on the supporting tissues of the teeth and could
speed up the rate at which these periodontal tissues are
destroyed.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that causes altered levels of sugar in the
blood. Diabetes develops from either a deficiency in insulin
production (a hormone that is the key component in the body's
ability to use blood sugars) or the body's inability to use insulin
correctly. According to the American Diabetes Association,
approximately 16 million Americans have diabetes; however, more
than half have not been diagnosed with this disease. If you are
diabetic, you are at higher risk for developing infections,
including periodontal diseases. These infections can impair the
ability to process and/or utilize insulin, which may cause your
diabetes to be more difficult to control and your infection to be
more severe than a non-diabetic.
Poor
Nutrition
As you may already know, a diet low in important nutrients can
compromise the body's immune system and make it harder for the body
to fight off infection. Because periodontal disease is a serious
infection, poor nutrition can worsen the condition of your
gums.
Types of Periodontal
Disease
There are many forms of periodontal disease. The most common
ones include the following:
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease.
It causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily. There
is usually little or no discomfort at this stage. Gingivitis is
reversible with professional treatment and good at home oral
care.
Mild
Periodontitis
If gingivitis, the mildest form of periodontal disease, is left
untreated, it can advance to periodontitis. In the mild stage,
periodontal diseases begin to destroy the bone and tissue that
support the teeth.
Moderate to
Advanced Periodontitis
Moderate to advanced periodontitis develops if earlier forms of the
disease like gingivitis and mild periodontitis are left untreated.
This is the most advanced form of the disease in which extensive
bone and tissue loss occurs.
Juvenile
Periodontitis
Localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP) occurs in adolescents and is
characterized by the rapid loss of bone around permanent teeth.
Ironically, youngsters with LJP form very little dental plaque or
tartar. Generalized juvenile periodontitis is often considered a
disease of young adults, although it can begin around puberty. It
is characterized by marked inflammation and heavy accumulations of
plaque and calculus. Pockets can form around the affected teeth,
filling with infection. If not treated early, infection can lead to
bone loss which may cause the teeth to become loose.
Systematic
Disease
Research needs to be done to say definitively that people with
periodontal disease are at higher risk for developing heart
disease, stroke, uncontrolled diabetes, preterm births and
respiratory disease, periodontists do know that periodontal disease
is a bacterial infection, and all infections are cause for concern.
Periodontal bacteria can enter the blood stream and travel to major
organs and begin new infections. Research is suggesting that this
may:
- Contribute to the development of heart disease, the nation's leading cause
of death.
- Increase the risk of stroke.
- Increase a woman's risk of having a preterm, low birth weight baby.
- Pose a serious threat to people whose health is compromised by
diabetes, respiratory diseases, or osteoporosis.
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