Gum disease, (gingivitis or periodontal disease), starts as an inflammation of the gums that if left untreated can affect and gradually destroy the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth.
Periodontal diseases are infections of the periodontal tissues, which include the gums, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone.
Gingivitis and periodontitis are the two main stages of gum disease. Without proper treatment of gum disease, gums start receding and the teeth will finally become loose, fall out or have to be removed by a dentist.General health risks caused by Periodontal Diseases
Over the recent years ther is increasing evidence to support the fact that dental problems like periodontal diseases can cause other serious health problems. As stated by the American Academy of Periodontology, 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 periodontal disease may:
Contribute to the development of heart disease, a 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. If you value your oral health as well as your overall health, a periodontal evaluation is a good idea that might prove especially important.Causes of Gum Disease
The accumulation of dental plaque and tartar is usually what causes gingivitis, and it's almost always the result of inadequate brushing and flossing. If poor oral hygiene promotes the overgrowth of bacterial plaque, changes in the composition of the plaque occur. The bacterial balance shifts over to gram negative anaerobic bacteria, which are responsible for inflammatory diseases.The bacteria also invade the crevices between the gum and tooth (sulcus) and infect the periodontal tissues. These bacteria that form dental plaque and tartar release toxins that stimulate the body's immune system to over produce powerful infection-fighting factors called cytokines.The immune factors of the body, in their effort to fight the infection, attack the person's own infected cells and periodontal tissues. This way, the supporting tissues of the teeth - gums, connective tissue and alveolar bone - are destroyed. The bacteria most implicated in periodontal disease and bone loss are : Actinobacillus (A.) actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas (P.) gingivalis. Other bacteria linked to gum disease are : Bacteroides (B.) forsythus , T. denticola, T. sokranskii and P. intermedia.article published under a license from Web Dental Office
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