The
word “periodontal” means “around
the tooth”. And thus, periodontal
diseases are bacterial gum
infections that destroy the
soft tissue and the supporting
bone that holds teeth in the
mouth. According to the third
National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey, which
is based on a subset of approximately
10,000 persons of ages ranging
from 30 to 90 years, 35% of
those surveyed have periodontitis,
of which 21% have mild infections
and 12.6% have moderate to
severe infections. Periodontal
disease frequently leads to
systemic antibody responses
and the subsequent release
of inflammatory agents into
the body. Scientific studies
now suggest that periodontitis
may be associated with an
increased risk of medical
conditions such as low birth
weight of infants, aspiration
pneumonia, diabetes mellitus,
atherosclerosis and strokes.
The main cause of gum infection
is bacterial plaque, a sticky,
colorless substance that regularly
forms a film on the surface
of teeth. If plaque is not
removed (by proper home oral
care), it can turn into a
hard substance called calculus
in less than two days. Calculus
is very hard and can only
be removed by professional
dental cleaning. If calculus
develops below the gum line
on the root surface of teeth,
the condition of the gums
will worsen. Toxins (or poisons)
produced by the bacteria will
also cause further destruction
of supporting tissue. If the
gum disease is left untreated,
tooth loss is inevitable.
Other factors that might contribute
to periodontal diseases may
include tobacco smoking, stress,
heredity, obesity, osteoporosis,
systemic diseases, and teeth
clenching or grinding.
A study by the World Health
Organization in 1995 indicated
that cardiovascular disease
accounts for 20% of the death
worldwide. In developed countries,
it is the principle cause
of death in 50% of all cases.
It is now suggested that bacteria
from gum disease may actually
induce platelet aggregation,
which increases the risk of
stroke. The interrelationship
between gum disease and diabetes
is also significant. While
periodontal disease can be
more severe in uncontrolled
diabetics, untreated periodontal
diseases can make it harder
for uncontrolled diabetics
to keep their diabetes under
control. In a preliminary
comparison study, pregnant
women with elevated level
of bacteria, which is specific
to the plaque, formed below
the gum line delivered more
pre-term low birth weight
infants. However, further
studies will be needed to
establish the possibility
of a causal relationship between
periodontal disease and the
various systemic diseases.
Dr. Benny Kwong |
