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While these factors can contribute
to the risk or severity of periodontal disease, these do not cause it.
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Periodontal
Disease: The term periodontal comes from two Greek words that mean
"around the tooth". Therefore this disease involves the gums, bone and ligaments
that support the teeth and hold them in the jaw. Periodontal diseases may
develop slowly or progress quite rapidly. Unless you have regular dental checkups,
you may not be aware you have periodontal disease until your gums and bone have
been so seriously damaged that tooth loss is inevitable.
The most common types of periodontal disease are gingivitis
and periodontitis.
Gingivitis is the earliest stage
and affects only the gum tissue. At this stage, the disease is still reversible.
If not treated, however, it may lead to a more severe condition. Periodontitis is the more advanced stage of periodontal
diseases. The gums, bone and other structures that support the teeth become
damages. Teeth can become loose and may be lost. At this stage, the
disease may require more complex treatment to prevent tooth loss. (See illustrations)
Certain types of bacteria found in plaque,
a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth can cause an
infection that attacks the gums, bone and ligaments that support the teeth.
These bacteria create toxins or
poisons which irritate the gums which result in a break down of the attachment of
gum tissues to teeth. Over
time, these toxins can destroy these supporting tissues, allowing the infection
to progress to bone loss. Plaque that is not removed can combine with other
materials and harden into a rough, porous deposit called
calculus or tartar. Calculus on the tooth surface, above
the gum-line, may not contribute to periodontal diseases; but calculus on the root surface below the gums, makes removal
of new plaque and bacteria more difficult. Unlike plaque, which you can remove,
only a dentist or a dental hygienist can remove calculus.
Although periodontal diseases are caused by plaque, there are
other factors that can increase the risk, severity and speed of the development
of the condition:
- Smoking - studies
have shown that individuals who smoke are more likely to develop periodontal diseases,
and to have it more severely, that those who do not use any forms of tobacco.
- Poor fitting bridges, badly aligned
teeth or defective fillings can
all contribute to plaque retention and increase the risk of developing periodontal
disease.
- Excessive biting forces on teeth - includes clenching or grinding, may also
accelerate the rate at which supporting bone is lost.
- Poor diet - some researches have shown that an unbalanced diet
makes the mouth tissues less resistant to infection, therefore may cause periodontal
diseases to progress more rapidly or increase the severity of the condition.
- Pregnancy or the use of oral contraceptives - this increases the hormone levels which
can cause gum tissues to react more sensitivity to the toxins in plaque and accelerate
growth of certain bacteria. The gums are more likely to become red, tender,
and swollen and to bleed easily.
- Systemic diseases, such as AIDS or diabetes can lower the tissues'
resistance to infection, making periodontal diseases more severe.
- Medications - steroids, some types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy
drugs, some calcium channel blockers and many others - affect the gums. It
is critical that your dentist know about any medications you are taking, so be sure
you update your medical history whenever necessary.
- Medications that may cause gingival
hyperplasia:
Cardiac drugs:
Adalat, Bayotensin, Beta-Adalat, Blenoxane,Calan, Cardizem,
Cardene, Depakene, Depakote, Dilantin, Isoptin,Nimotop, Procardia, Sandimmue, Syscor,
Tentif, and Verapamil
Anti-Convulsants:
Celontin, Dilantin, Epitol, Felbatol,Mesantoin,Milontin,Mysoline,
Peganone, Solfoton,Tegretol, and Zarontin
Calcium Channel Blockers:
Adalat, Cardene, Dyna-Circ, Norvasc, Plendil, Procardia Nimotop,
Sibelium, and Vascor
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Healthy gingiva (gum tissue) and teeth firmly
anchored on the bone.
Gingivitis develops as toxins in
plaque irritate the gums, making them red, tender, swollen and likely to bleed easily.
Periodontitis occurs when toxins destroy
the tissues that anchor the teeth in the bone. Gums become detached from the
teeth, forming pockets that fill with more plaque. Tooth roots become exposed
to plaque and become susceptible to decay and sensitive to cold an touch.
Advanced periodontitis occurs when the teeth more
loose because attachment is lost and more bone is destroyed. Unless treated,
tooth loss in inevitable.
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