What causes periodontal disease?

1	What causes periodontal disease?
2	What makes my periodontal condition worse?
3	What else can affect my gums?
4	How does smoking affect the periodontal condition?



	(1) What causes periodontal disease?
	Periodontal diseases are bacterial gum infections that destroy the attachment fibres and supporting bone that hold your teeth in your mouth. The main cause of these diseases is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colourless film that constantly forms on your teeth. If plaque is not removed on a daily basis it can build up on the tooth surface and turn into a hard substance called calculus. Calculus, also known as tartar, is calcified dental plaque and is considered a contributing factor in causing periodontal diseases. When plaque and calculus are not removed the bacteria in plaque produce toxins (or poisons) that can destroy the supporting tissues and bone around the teeth. Your own immune system attacks not only these invading bacteria but also the body's own tissues, carving deep pockets between the teeth and gums. As the diseases progress, these pockets deepen, more gum tissue and bone are destroyed and the teeth eventually become loose. If periodontal diseases are not treated, the teeth may eventually need to be removed.
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	(2) What makes my periodontal condition worse?
	Stress lowers the body's immune system. Therefore infections are not easily countered and more tissue/bone is destroyed. Hormones also modify periodontal disease. It is commonly known that during pregnancies, some women’s gums become swollen and sore, and bleed more easily. In some cases, however, pregnant women suffering from periodontal disease may find their condition is actually worse after the baby is born. Teeth may feel loose or spaces may be present between teeth that weren’t there before pregnancy. When these symptoms occur, professional help is required.
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	(3) What else can effect my gums?
	Smoking is the worst offender. Numerous studies show that in the face of an established periodontal condition, smokers have worse gums. Not only do they have deeper pockets and more bone loss, but also they don’t heal as well as non-smokers do. Smokers can successfully have implants, but they tend to heal slowly and have more infections. Lastly, many disease states affect the gums. The most notable is diabetes. Diabetics need to take good care of their teeth and gums because they are prone to more infections and greater problems than non-diabetics. Most periodontists would agree that after scaling and root planing, many patients do not require any further active treatment, including surgical therapy. However, the majority of patients will require ongoing maintenance therapy to sustain health. Non-surgical therapy does have its limitations, however, and when it does not achieve periodontal health, surgery may be indicated to restore periodontal anatomy damaged by periodontal diseases and to facilitate oral hygiene practices. Women on hormone replacement therapy can also observe subtle changes in their gums.
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	(4) How does smoking affect the periodontal condition?
	Smoking lessens the blood supply to the tissues and decreases the immune system making it harder for the body to fight the bacteria present in plaque + calculus that attacks the bone and gum tissue.
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