30 Jan Periodontal Disease
Periodontal diseases are infections of the structures around the teeth, which include the gums, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. In the earliest stage of periodontal disease — gingivitis — the infection affects the gums. In more severe forms of the disease, all of the tissues are involved.
“Perio” means around, and “dontal” refers to teeth
Swollen and bleeding gums are early signs that your gums are infected with bacteria. If nothing is done, the infection can spread and destroy the structures that support your teeth in your jawbone. Eventually, your teeth can become so loose that they have to be extracted.
PERIODONTAL DISEASE is a common chronic disease and a major health problem worldwide, affecting about half of adult populations. Globally, severe periodontitis and edentulism affect, respectively, 743 million and 158 million people worldwide
WHAT CAUSES PERIODONTAL DISEASE?
Swollen and bleeding gums are early signs that your gums are infected with bacteria. If nothing is done, the infection can spread and destroy the structures that support your teeth in your jawbone. Eventually, your teeth can become so loose that they have to be extracted.
RISKS AND PREVENTION
These are factors that can increase your risk of gum disease or make it worse once the infection has set in.
- Genetics
- Smoking and tobacco use
- Misaligned or crowded teeth, braces or bridgework
- Grinding or clenching of teeth
- Stress
- Fluctuating hormones
- Medication
- Diseases
- Poor nutrition
PERIODONTAL DISEASE AND SYSTEMIC HEALTH
The relationship between poor oral health and systemic diseases has been increasingly recognized over the past two decades epidemiological studies show a link between poor oral health and a range of medical conditions including:
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Type 2 diabetes,
- Adverse pregnancy outcome,
- Osteoporosis
- Aspiration pneumonia
- Rheumatoid arthritis
PERIODONTAL DISEASE AS A RISK FACTOR IN CANCER
Periodontal disease (PD) and alterations in the oral microbiome, which are responsible for its development, have been linked to several forms of cancer including cancer of the oral cavity, head and neck, and cancer of the pancreas