Periodontal Disease
Description and progression
Periodontal disease is a disease that attacks the gum tissue and surrounding bone and teeth. Whether you have it and it’s getting worse, or you have been able to stop its progression, it is entirely up to you and how you take care of your teeth and gums that will determine the out come. There are two stages of periodontal disease, gingivitis, and periodontitis.
Gingivitis: This is reversible tissue damage. This form of periodontal disease is characterized by color changes, contour, and consistency of the gum tissue. There are two types of gingivitis, acute, and chronic.
Acute: Lasts just a short time, contains fluid in the gum tissue causing inflammation.
Chronic: Lasts for months or even years.
Periodontitis: This is irreversible damage characterized by gum and bone loss. There is permanent damage to the Alveolar bone that supports the surrounding teeth and you may experience tooth mobility and maybe even tooth loss. Your PDL fibers are destroyed, and the most sensitive portions of the tooth are exposed to plaque furthering the disease process.
The Primary Etiology factor, local contributing factors, and systemic factors
The Primary Cause: Periodontal disease is determined by their gender, race, socioeconomic status, and age. With gender, research shows that males are more susceptible and that females practice better oral health care. Education and socioeconomic status is showing African American and Hispanic living in the U.S have poorer periodontal health, and its becoming more of an issue among those with lower education levels and lower income families. Age is also showing a higher risk the older you get.
Local contributing Factors: Oral conditions or habits that increase an individuals susceptibility to periodontal infections. These usually don’t initiate gingivitis or perdontitis but act as contributors. There are three primary mechanisms that local factors can increase the risk of developing periodontal disease.
1) Increase plaque biofilm retention: Unfit restorations harboring plaque and makes it difficult to remove.
2) Increase pathogenicity (disease causing): Calculus that harbors plaque allowing it ot grow uninhibited.
3) Cause direct damage to periodontium: Ill fitting partial dentures that put pressure on the gums.
Examples of local contributing factors include;
> Calculus
> Decay
> Trauma
Systemic Factors: Condition or disease that increase an individual’s susceptibility to periodontal infection by modifying or amplifying the host response to the bacterial infection. These factors include Diabetes, osteoporosis, hormone alterations, medication, tobacco use, and genetics.
Diabetes: Disease caused when the body doesn’t produce insulin, the hormone that converts sugars, starches, and other foods into energy. There are three types I, II, and gestational.
Type I: The destruction of insulin producing cells of the pancreas. Without insulin the glucose from foods stay in our bloodstream instead of going to our cells and it builds up in our blood. Treatment includes diet, exercise, blood testing daily followed by daily injections.
Type II: Occurs when the body does not make enough insulin hormones or the body ignores and fails to use what the body is producing. Treatment includes diet control, exercise, home glucose testing, oral medication and insulin.
Gestational: Occurs during pregnancy in women who have never had diabetes before. The body is not able to produce all the insulin needed for the pregnancy.
Osteoporosis: A reduction in bone mass that increases chances of fractures in bone, can lead to bone resorption in the jaw leading to many problems to the surrounding bone of the teeth.
Hormone Alterations: such as puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy can all be factors to the disease process as well. All which can cause inflammation of the gum, causing bleeding and irritation.
Puberty: Increase levels of estradiol and testosterone which increases blood circulation tot eh gum tissue causing irritation and resulting in gingivitis.
Menstruation: with preexisting gingivitis can increase the inflammation and crevicular fluid.
Pregnancy: In the second and third trimester women with exacerbated hormonal changes can increase the plaque buildup and inflammation causing pregnancy gingivitis.
Medication: Effects of medication can modify oral hygiene habits such as plaque composition, size of gum tissue, level of bone, and salivary flow. Some medication can inhibit bone loss, increase plaque formation and inflammation, and gum overgrowth. Its important to discuss with your doctor what medications your taking and find out what side effects you could be facing.
Smoking: Studies show that smoking may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression or periodontal disease. Smoking is exposing your gum tissues to nicotine constantly.
Three FAQ:
1) Who can get periodontal disease?
Most people wont develop periodontal disease until their in their 30's or 40's. Men are more likely to get it because studies have shown that women have a bit more desire to obtain good oral health. Teenager’s rarely develop periodontitis but can develop gingivitis which is a milder form of periodontal disease, and can develop when plaque is allowed to build up along and under the gum line. The most important thing to remember is that it is preventable, and the more dedicated you are at home with taking care of your mouth the better chances you have at obtaining optimal oral health, and the less chances you have at developing any of these diseases.
2) How do I know if I have periodontal disease?
There are quite a few signs and symptoms you can look for when you’re trying to assess the condition of your mouth at home.
> Bad breath
> Red or swollen gums
> Tender or bleeding gums
> Pain when chewing
Any of these symptoms can be a sign of a serious problem, and should be checked by your dentist if you are experiencing them.
3) How can I keep my gums healthy?
Keeping up on your oral hygiene is going to be your best chance in keeping your gums healthy. Making sure you see your dentist and hygienist regularly to keep you educated and informed about the condition your mouth is in, as well as learning new and efficient ways to keep you interested. At home you want to be sure your brushing our teeth twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride, followed by flossing to remove plaque from between the teeth or those areas that your toothbrush did not reach.
Description and progression
Periodontal disease is a disease that attacks the gum tissue and surrounding bone and teeth. Whether you have it and it’s getting worse, or you have been able to stop its progression, it is entirely up to you and how you take care of your teeth and gums that will determine the out come. There are two stages of periodontal disease, gingivitis, and periodontitis.
Gingivitis: This is reversible tissue damage. This form of periodontal disease is characterized by color changes, contour, and consistency of the gum tissue. There are two types of gingivitis, acute, and chronic.
Acute: Lasts just a short time, contains fluid in the gum tissue causing inflammation.
Chronic: Lasts for months or even years.
Periodontitis: This is irreversible damage characterized by gum and bone loss. There is permanent damage to the Alveolar bone that supports the surrounding teeth and you may experience tooth mobility and maybe even tooth loss. Your PDL fibers are destroyed, and the most sensitive portions of the tooth are exposed to plaque furthering the disease process.
The Primary Etiology factor, local contributing factors, and systemic factors
The Primary Cause: Periodontal disease is determined by their gender, race, socioeconomic status, and age. With gender, research shows that males are more susceptible and that females practice better oral health care. Education and socioeconomic status is showing African American and Hispanic living in the U.S have poorer periodontal health, and its becoming more of an issue among those with lower education levels and lower income families. Age is also showing a higher risk the older you get.
Local contributing Factors: Oral conditions or habits that increase an individuals susceptibility to periodontal infections. These usually don’t initiate gingivitis or perdontitis but act as contributors. There are three primary mechanisms that local factors can increase the risk of developing periodontal disease.
1) Increase plaque biofilm retention: Unfit restorations harboring plaque and makes it difficult to remove.
2) Increase pathogenicity (disease causing): Calculus that harbors plaque allowing it ot grow uninhibited.
3) Cause direct damage to periodontium: Ill fitting partial dentures that put pressure on the gums.
Examples of local contributing factors include;
> Calculus
> Decay
> Trauma
Systemic Factors: Condition or disease that increase an individual’s susceptibility to periodontal infection by modifying or amplifying the host response to the bacterial infection. These factors include Diabetes, osteoporosis, hormone alterations, medication, tobacco use, and genetics.
Diabetes: Disease caused when the body doesn’t produce insulin, the hormone that converts sugars, starches, and other foods into energy. There are three types I, II, and gestational.
Type I: The destruction of insulin producing cells of the pancreas. Without insulin the glucose from foods stay in our bloodstream instead of going to our cells and it builds up in our blood. Treatment includes diet, exercise, blood testing daily followed by daily injections.
Type II: Occurs when the body does not make enough insulin hormones or the body ignores and fails to use what the body is producing. Treatment includes diet control, exercise, home glucose testing, oral medication and insulin.
Gestational: Occurs during pregnancy in women who have never had diabetes before. The body is not able to produce all the insulin needed for the pregnancy.
Osteoporosis: A reduction in bone mass that increases chances of fractures in bone, can lead to bone resorption in the jaw leading to many problems to the surrounding bone of the teeth.
Hormone Alterations: such as puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy can all be factors to the disease process as well. All which can cause inflammation of the gum, causing bleeding and irritation.
Puberty: Increase levels of estradiol and testosterone which increases blood circulation tot eh gum tissue causing irritation and resulting in gingivitis.
Menstruation: with preexisting gingivitis can increase the inflammation and crevicular fluid.
Pregnancy: In the second and third trimester women with exacerbated hormonal changes can increase the plaque buildup and inflammation causing pregnancy gingivitis.
Medication: Effects of medication can modify oral hygiene habits such as plaque composition, size of gum tissue, level of bone, and salivary flow. Some medication can inhibit bone loss, increase plaque formation and inflammation, and gum overgrowth. Its important to discuss with your doctor what medications your taking and find out what side effects you could be facing.
Smoking: Studies show that smoking may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression or periodontal disease. Smoking is exposing your gum tissues to nicotine constantly.
Three FAQ:
1) Who can get periodontal disease?
Most people wont develop periodontal disease until their in their 30's or 40's. Men are more likely to get it because studies have shown that women have a bit more desire to obtain good oral health. Teenager’s rarely develop periodontitis but can develop gingivitis which is a milder form of periodontal disease, and can develop when plaque is allowed to build up along and under the gum line. The most important thing to remember is that it is preventable, and the more dedicated you are at home with taking care of your mouth the better chances you have at obtaining optimal oral health, and the less chances you have at developing any of these diseases.
2) How do I know if I have periodontal disease?
There are quite a few signs and symptoms you can look for when you’re trying to assess the condition of your mouth at home.
> Bad breath
> Red or swollen gums
> Tender or bleeding gums
> Pain when chewing
Any of these symptoms can be a sign of a serious problem, and should be checked by your dentist if you are experiencing them.
3) How can I keep my gums healthy?
Keeping up on your oral hygiene is going to be your best chance in keeping your gums healthy. Making sure you see your dentist and hygienist regularly to keep you educated and informed about the condition your mouth is in, as well as learning new and efficient ways to keep you interested. At home you want to be sure your brushing our teeth twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride, followed by flossing to remove plaque from between the teeth or those areas that your toothbrush did not reach.