What is Periodontitis and What Causes it?
Understanding Periodontal or Gum Disease and How it is Caused
Oct 9, 2009
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is the number one cause of tooth loss in people who are aged 30 and above. Most people are aware of the danger of dental decay and the need to maintain oral hygiene, but very few people know that after dental decay, gum disease is the second most common disease worldwide. In the United States periodontitis affects 30-50% of the population, with 10% being severely affected.
The majority of people wish to keep their own teeth for as long as possible and many people spend large sums of money on cosmetic dentistry to improve the appearance of their teeth and smile. Understanding periodontal disease may help people to maintain their own teeth for as long as possible.
What Is Periodontitis?
Periodontitis is a disease of the gums and the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. The name is derived from Latin where “peri” means around, “odont” means tooth, and “itis” means inflammation. The peridontium refers to the gums, the ligament of connective tissue that holds the tooth in its socket, and the alveolar bone around the tooth. The ligament connects the tooth but also acts as a cushion between the tooth and bone.
Periodontitis usually starts from an infection of the gums called gingivitis. If gingivitis is left untreated, the infection attacks the ligament supporting the tooth in the jaw, and causes inflammation and gradual destruction of the alveolar bone that anchors the tooth in place. This is now periodontal disease and can cause the gums to recede, exposing the root surfaces, making teeth more sensitive to heat and cold. The progressive loss of bone will lead to loosening of the teeth and their eventual loss.
What Causes Periodontitis?
Periodontitis, or periodontal disease, is initially caused by a buildup of dental plaque. Plaque is a sticky substance that forms on teeth and builds up particularly around the gum line. It is created by bacteria which are found naturally in the mouth, and in small amounts it is colourless and fairly harmless.
When plaque accumulates around the gum margin the bacteria produce toxins and acids that irritate the gums and the plaque builds into a soft whitish deposit that is clearly visible. This then causes gingivitis or bleeding gums. If gingivitis is not treated the plaque hardens to form calculus using the calcium ions from saliva in the mouth.
Brushing and flossing does not remove calculus and from there the bacteria invade the gum tissues. The plaque will eventually move below the gum line where harmful bacteria multiply rapidly in the airless environment, and thrive in the gap between the tooth and the gum. The bacteria and the toxins they secrete then start to damage the gum, the ligament that attaches the tooth and the bony support of the tooth, eventually leading to loosening of the tooth.
In some people, the inflammation caused by the bacteria can cause the body to essentially turn on itself and help breakdown and destroy the periodontal ligament and bone of the tooth socket, accelerating the chance of tooth loss. This destructive response is determined mainly by genetics and also the state of an individual’s immune system.
Some People are More Susceptible to Gum Disease Than Others
Some people are much more susceptible to developing periodontal disease than others. Although the primary cause is dental plaque, some people are genetically more susceptible to it leading to periodontitis. There are several medical conditions and diseases, including diabetes, high blood pressure, stress, heart disease, Downs syndrome, pregnancy, certain medications (anti-convulsant and contraceptive pills) and lifestyle habits like smoking, that can reduce the immune system's ability to overcome gum infection and increase susceptibility to periodontitis.
Related Article
Symptoms and Treatment of Periodontitis This article explains the symptoms of periodontitis so that it can be recognised early. It also covers the treatment and prevention of periodontal disease.
References
Gum Disease - Periodontal Disease - Gingivitis - Periodontis
Removing Dental Plaque Will Stop Periodontitis
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Teeth and Gums
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Gum Disease Allows Teeth to Become Loose
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Avoid Periodontal Disease to Keep Your Own Teeth
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Smoking Can Increase the Risk of Periodontitis
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