Etiology of Periodontal Diseases
A Patient Focused Explanation
After the Dentist comes over and does an examination of your mouth he tells you that you are showing signs of periodontal disease. First thing to mind you’re thinking ok what's that? Well let me explain to you what he is talking about. Periodontal disease is an infection of the periodontium. The periodontium includes the gums, the cementum which is the layer on your roots, and the periodontal ligament fibers, which are the fibers that hold your teeth in place, and the alveolar bone, which is the bone that makes up your jaw. In a healthy mouth none of these are affected, but when periodontal disease comes into play one or more have been affected. First there is gingivitis, which is the inflammation or infection of your gums. With gingivitis it can be reversible if it is stopped in time. With Gingivitis you can have it last for a short period of time and return to a healthy state or stay at a chronic state that may last for years. Gingivitis does not always lead to periodontitis. Periodontitis is an infection of all four structures mentioned above and this disease is not reversible, therefore it causes permanent damage. The primary etiology factor to periodontal disease is the body's immune response or how it reacts to the bacteria. You may think well can I take antibiotics to kill off some of these bacteria. Well the answer is it wouldn't do much good; the reason being is because the bacteria are extremely resistant to antibiotics, antimicrobials, and the body's immune system. What is exactly causing this periodontal disease? The answer is biofilm formerly known as plaque. Biofilm is a living film, containing a well organized community of bacteria that grows on a wet surface. In a healthy mouth there can be anywhere between 100-1,000 different bacteria. In gingivitis there can be anywhere between 1,000-100,000 different bacteria. In periodontitis there is anywhere from 100,000-100,000,000 different bacteria. With all these different bacteria in your mouth they cluster together and form colonies. It takes only seven days for these biofilms to start maturing on your tooth surfaces above your gums, and only 3-12 weeks for them to mature underneath your gums. If this mature biofilm is left undisturbed for any length of time this can lead to gingivitis and further more to periodontitis. There are also other factors that can play a role in the progression; these include dental calculus, faulty restorations, and trauma. The ways that these factors contribute to periodontal disease is by increasing the biofilm retention, increasing the biofilms ability to produce disease, and by causing direct damage to the periodontium, such as food that is impacted, habits; such as grinding or clenching. Another factor that contributes to periodontal disease is systemic factors; such as, tobacco use, diabetes, leukemia, AIDS, osteoporosis, hormonal variations, Down syndrome, and medications.
Frequently asked questions
1. How would I know if my gums are healthy or not?
If your gums look red, swollen, tender to touch, or bleed during brushing or flossing most likely they are not healthy to some degree and of course you would want to consult with your dentist.
2. How can I make sure to keep my mouth healthy?
You can keep your mouth healthy by taking good care of your mouth, this includes brushing twice a day, flossing one time, using a mouth rinse, and going to your routine dental appointments for cleanings regularly.
3. is periodontal disease transmissible?
Yes, it can be transferred simply just by kissing another person or even by sharing the same drink so be careful.
After the Dentist comes over and does an examination of your mouth he tells you that you are showing signs of periodontal disease. First thing to mind you’re thinking ok what's that? Well let me explain to you what he is talking about. Periodontal disease is an infection of the periodontium. The periodontium includes the gums, the cementum which is the layer on your roots, and the periodontal ligament fibers, which are the fibers that hold your teeth in place, and the alveolar bone, which is the bone that makes up your jaw. In a healthy mouth none of these are affected, but when periodontal disease comes into play one or more have been affected. First there is gingivitis, which is the inflammation or infection of your gums. With gingivitis it can be reversible if it is stopped in time. With Gingivitis you can have it last for a short period of time and return to a healthy state or stay at a chronic state that may last for years. Gingivitis does not always lead to periodontitis. Periodontitis is an infection of all four structures mentioned above and this disease is not reversible, therefore it causes permanent damage. The primary etiology factor to periodontal disease is the body's immune response or how it reacts to the bacteria. You may think well can I take antibiotics to kill off some of these bacteria. Well the answer is it wouldn't do much good; the reason being is because the bacteria are extremely resistant to antibiotics, antimicrobials, and the body's immune system. What is exactly causing this periodontal disease? The answer is biofilm formerly known as plaque. Biofilm is a living film, containing a well organized community of bacteria that grows on a wet surface. In a healthy mouth there can be anywhere between 100-1,000 different bacteria. In gingivitis there can be anywhere between 1,000-100,000 different bacteria. In periodontitis there is anywhere from 100,000-100,000,000 different bacteria. With all these different bacteria in your mouth they cluster together and form colonies. It takes only seven days for these biofilms to start maturing on your tooth surfaces above your gums, and only 3-12 weeks for them to mature underneath your gums. If this mature biofilm is left undisturbed for any length of time this can lead to gingivitis and further more to periodontitis. There are also other factors that can play a role in the progression; these include dental calculus, faulty restorations, and trauma. The ways that these factors contribute to periodontal disease is by increasing the biofilm retention, increasing the biofilms ability to produce disease, and by causing direct damage to the periodontium, such as food that is impacted, habits; such as grinding or clenching. Another factor that contributes to periodontal disease is systemic factors; such as, tobacco use, diabetes, leukemia, AIDS, osteoporosis, hormonal variations, Down syndrome, and medications.
Frequently asked questions
1. How would I know if my gums are healthy or not?
If your gums look red, swollen, tender to touch, or bleed during brushing or flossing most likely they are not healthy to some degree and of course you would want to consult with your dentist.
2. How can I make sure to keep my mouth healthy?
You can keep your mouth healthy by taking good care of your mouth, this includes brushing twice a day, flossing one time, using a mouth rinse, and going to your routine dental appointments for cleanings regularly.
3. is periodontal disease transmissible?
Yes, it can be transferred simply just by kissing another person or even by sharing the same drink so be careful.