Periodontal disease and its systemic health implications

Periodontal disease has different degrees and stages of severity but can result in loss of teeth in the later more severe stages. However, what is disturbing is that this disease is becoming more prevalent in our modern 'developed' societies. (Albandar, Brunelle and Kingman, 1999) Even more disturbing is the fact that the link between periodontal disease and other illnesses are often not detected or given sufficient attention. There is little doubt that a long-term pervasive gum infection leading to periodontitis can affect the immune system and general health.

The central thesis that will be examined in this paper is that periodontal disease should be seen in the context of overall body health and that more attention should be given to the ways in which this disease is linked to or impacts on other ailments and diseases. This therefore suggests that even mild forms of this disease should be treated with urgency and that oral health and hygiene is not something to be taken lightly as it has an affect and impact on the total health of the individual.

Description and overview

Simply stated, periodontitis is a type of gum disease that is characterized by a chronic infection of the gums, which results from a loss of attachment between the tooth and the jawbone. " Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth" (Types of Gum Disease). Importantly, periodontal disease"... is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults in the United States" (Periodontal disease).

In more detail, the teeth are attached to the jaw by means of ligaments and the gums are connected to the various teeth by a complex array of minute fibers. Periodontal diseases begins "....in the shallow pocket where the tooth and gum meets, usually as a milder form of gum infection known as gingivitis" (Types of Gum Disease).

The central cause of this disease is when bacteria begin to grow in the area where the tooth and the gum meet. The ostensible cause of Periodontitis is usually due to poor dental hygiene. As a result of the growth of the bacteria the gap between the tooth and the gum increases, making cleaning more difficult and this in turn leads to tartar deposits. (Types of Gum Disease) as the disease progresses, it can also lead to further infections and to the inflammation of the bone, which can result in the loss of the tooth. The loss of bone due to the progression of the disease is characteristic of the stage of the disease known as periodontitis; whereas, prior the loss of bone the disease is known as gingivitis

Types of periodontal disease

3.1. Gingivitis and its symptoms

As has been referred to,

Gingivitis is the less severe form of periodontal disease. It occurs before there is severe bone deterioration and it can result in the gums becoming red, swollen, and bleed easily. (Types of Gum Disease) However, there may be very few symptoms in the early stages of Gingivitas. An important aspect is that this stage of periodontal disease is completely reversible with adequate oral hygiene. (Types of Gum Disease)

Periodontitis: an irreversible stage

If gingivitis is left untreated and the necessary oral hygiene is not implemented to combat it, then it can develop into the more severe periodontal stages. This occurs when, plaque spreads and grows below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. The toxins stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the body in essence turns on itself and the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed.

4. Impact on overall health

Periodontal disease has been positively linked to other diseases and illnesses. Medical research has for example established a possible link between periodontal disease and various respiratory ailments and diseases. While conclusive definitive evidence of these links is still tenuous, what is known with some certainty is that, "...mouth infections like periodontal disease are associated with increased risk of respiratory infection..." And "... research has revealed that periodontal (gum) disease may be a far more serious threat to your health than previously realized" (Frequently Asked Questions About Periodontal (Gum) Disease and General Health).

Therefore, there is a growing body of evidence that associates periodontal disease with other illnesses and general health issues and research is being conducted to ascertain whether periodontal disease exacerbates other illnesses.

One of these areas of study is the relationship between periodontal disease and heart disease. One hypothesis in this regard is that, "...oral bacteria can affect the heart when they enter the bloodstream, attaching to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries (heart blood vessels) and contributing to clot formation..." (Frequently Asked Questions About Periodontal (Gum) Disease and General Health). This can contribute to the possibly of heart attacks. Significantly, researchers have found that,.".. people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease" (Frequently Asked Questions About Periodontal (Gum) Disease and General Health).

Another research finding that establishes a link between periodontal disease and other heath risks is that pregnant women are as much as seven times more likely to have a baby that is premature or is too small. (Frequently Asked Questions About Periodontal (Gum) Disease and General Health) Doctors suggest that pregnant women who have periodontal disease should consult a periodontal expert.

Further evidence of the link between these diseases can be seen in the possible relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes. It has been known for many years that diabetics are more likely to show signs of periodontal disease than those people without diabetes. It has also been suggested in the literature that their may be a reciprocal relationship between this disease and diabetes.

Recently, research has emerged suggesting that the relationship goes both ways - periodontal disease may make it more difficult for people who have diabetes to control their blood sugar. Though more research is needed, what we do know is that severe periodontal disease can increase blood sugar, putting diabetics at increased risk for complications.

Frequently Asked Questions About Periodontal (Gum) Disease and General Health)

5. Conclusion

The increasing incidence of periodontal disease in developed countries is a cause of concern. As a study in this regard by Albandar, Brunelle and Kingman (1999) states, "Periodontitis is prevalent in the U.S. adult population" (p, 13).

This study estimated that, "...about 21 million persons have at least one site with > or = 5 mm attachment loss, and 35.7 million persons have periodontitis" (Albandar, Brunelle and Kingman, 1999, p.13). The authors also note that this is a conservative estimate.

However, there has been relatively little research undertaken on the concomitant and related affects of this disease. As has been discussed above, there is a growing body of research that suggests that periodontal disease affects other illnesses and can exacerbate diseases such as diabetes. More research is needed in this area, which will in turn place greater emphasis on the need for oral hygiene and the early treatment of gingivitis.