What is periodontitis?
Periodontitis, also known as gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and destroys the bone that supports your teeth. Periodontitis is caused by poor oral hygiene that allows plaque – a sticky film of bacteria – to build up on the teeth and gums. If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss.
Symptoms
Some symptoms of periodontitis include:
– Red, swollen, or tender gums
– Bleeding when brushing or flossing
– Bad breath
– Loose or separating teeth
– Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
– Receding gums
– Pus between the teeth and gums
Causes
Periodontitis is caused by poor oral hygiene that allows plaque to build up on the teeth. Plaque contains bacteria that can irritate and inflame the gums. With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gumline. The bacteria in plaque release toxins that stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the body essentially starts turning on itself, breaking down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place.
Risk factors for periodontitis include:
– Poor oral hygiene habits like not brushing and flossing regularly
– Smoking or chewing tobacco
– Certain illnesses like diabetes that affect the body’s ability to heal
– Medications like steroids that suppress the immune system
– Stress
– Older age
– Genetics that make you susceptible to gum disease
Is periodontitis serious?
Yes, periodontitis is a serious gum infection that can lead to major oral health problems. Without treatment, periodontitis can cause teeth to loosen or even fall out. It is one of the main causes of tooth loss in adults. Periodontitis has also been linked to other health issues like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes complications. Treating periodontitis is important to protect both your oral health and overall health.
Periodontitis prevalence and statistics
Here are some key statistics on the prevalence of periodontitis:
– Periodontitis is very common, affecting about 50% of adults over the age of 30 (1).
– Severe periodontitis, which can lead to tooth loss, impacts about 13% of adults (2).
– Periodontitis is more common in men than women, affecting 56% of men compared to 38% of women over the age of 30 (1).
– Smokers are much more likely to develop periodontitis. About 64% of smokers over the age of 65 have periodontitis compared to 26% of non-smokers (3).
– Certain ethnic/racial groups have higher rates of periodontitis, including 65% of Mexican Americans compared to 31% of non-Hispanic whites over the age of 30 (1).
– Individuals with diabetes have a significantly increased risk of developing periodontitis, which is 2-3 times higher than individuals without diabetes (4).
So in summary, periodontitis impacts a very large number of adults, particularly those with risk factors like smoking or diabetes. It’s a highly prevalent oral health problem.
Potential complications
If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to some serious health complications:
Tooth loss
The breakdown of bone and connective tissue caused by periodontitis can cause teeth to loosen or even fall out. Periodontitis is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. An estimated 47.2% of American adults over the age of 30 have had at least one tooth lost due to periodontitis (5). Tooth loss affects chewing ability, speech, and self-confidence.
Receding gums
As the gums and bone recede due to periodontitis, more of the tooth root becomes exposed. This can increase sensitivity and make teeth appear longer. It also creates small pockets where more bacteria can colonize and accelerate damage.
Abscesses
Advanced periodontal disease can cause abscesses – pus-filled infections – to develop in the gums. Abscesses cause pain and swelling.
Systemic health problems
Research indicates that the bacteria and inflammation associated with periodontitis may have effects elsewhere in the body and contribute to or exacerbate certain medical conditions:
– Heart disease: Periodontitis causes chronic inflammation and bacteria can enter the bloodstream. This may increase risk for clogged arteries and cardiovascular problems.
– Diabetes: Not only are diabetics at increased risk for periodontitis, but periodontal inflammation can also increase blood sugar and worsen diabetes control.
– Respiratory infections: Bacteria from the mouth can be inhaled into the lungs and cause respiratory diseases like pneumonia.
– Rheumatoid arthritis: Periodontitis bacteria and inflammation may play a role in exacerbating rheumatoid arthritis.
– Cancer: Periodontitis may increase risk for certain cancers like oral cancer. The reasons are not fully understood.
So while starting in the mouth, untreated periodontitis doesn’t just impact oral health. Emerging research suggests links between periodontal bacteria and inflammation with serious systemic health issues.
Treatment
The good news is that periodontitis can be successfully treated if caught early. The goals of periodontitis treatment are to remove plaque and tartar from below the gumline, reduce inflammation, and regenerate bone loss. This is accomplished through deep cleanings and procedures called scaling and root planing. In severe cases, periodontal surgery may be required to stop disease progression.
Professional deep cleanings
The dentist or periodontist will numb the gums and then thoroughly clean below the gumline to remove built-up plaque and tartar. This may require multiple appointments. Antimicrobial rinses are sometimes prescribed. Regular cleanings every 3-6 months help maintain gum health after deep cleanings.
Scaling and root planing
This is a deep cleaning done under the gums to smooth out rough spots on tooth roots and reduce remaining bacteria. Local anesthesia is used.
Medications
Antiseptic chip treatments, antibiotics, or antimicrobial mouth rinses may be used to reduce infection and support healing.
Surgery
Periodontal surgery is done to stop progressive bone loss in severe cases of periodontitis. Procedures can include flap surgery, bone grafts, soft tissue grafts, and guided tissue regeneration with bone-growth proteins.
Tooth extraction
Hopefully periodontitis is caught before tooth extraction is required. But severely damaged teeth may need to be removed if other treatments cannot save them.
Prevention
Preventing periodontitis revolves around keeping the teeth and gums clean and healthy:
– Brush thoroughly twice a day
– Floss daily
– Get regular professional cleanings and exams
– Don’t smoke or use tobacco products
– Eat a healthy, balanced diet
– Manage stress levels
– Treat medical conditions like diabetes that increase risk
– Get any signs of gum disease treated promptly
Good oral hygiene and dental care are key to preventing periodontitis. If caught early, periodontitis can usually be treated successfully. But advanced periodontitis leading to tooth loss can be prevented with diligent oral care.
Conclusion
In summary, periodontitis is a very common gum infection that destroys the tissues supporting the teeth. It is caused by a buildup of plaque bacteria on the teeth. Periodontitis starts as gingivitis and gets worse if not treated properly. The inflammation and bacteria associated with periodontitis can not only lead to tooth loss, but have also been linked to systemic health problems like heart disease, diabetes complications, and increased cancer risk.
Periodontitis is highly prevalent, impacting about 50% of adults to some degree. Risk factors like smoking and diabetes increase the odds of developing periodontitis. Fortunately, periodontitis can be prevented through diligent oral hygiene and treated if caught early. Professional cleanings, deep cleanings below the gumline, dental procedures, and antibiotics may be used to treat periodontitis based on severity. So while periodontitis is a major problem, it can be successfully managed with timely treatment and good homecare. Practicing prevention and getting regular dental exams are the keys to maintaining periodontal health.
| Age Group | Percentage with Periodontitis |
|---|---|
| 30-34 years | 30% |
| 35-44 years | 40% |
| 45-64 years | 60% |
| 65-74 years | 70% |
| Risk Factor | Increased Risk of Periodontitis |
|---|---|
| Smoking | 2-7 times higher |
| Diabetes | 2-3 times higher |
| HIV/AIDS | 2-3 times higher |
| Stress | 2-5 times higher |