Periodontal Diseases : A Group Of Multifactorial Biofilm

     Periodontal disease is more commonly known as gum disease or gingivitis. This infection is serious enough, that it can lead to tooth loss if left untreated. This chronic infection starts around the tooth and it affects the supporting bone and gums. Periodontal disease can affect anywhere from one tooth to all thirty-two teeth. The disease pathology starts with the plaque that builds up on your teeth everyday.

The most important cariogenic bacteria are Streptococcus mutans. Other cariogenic bacteria include S. salivarius and S. sanguis as well as various species of Eikenellan and Lactobacillus. Dental caries is a disease of the tooth enamel and the tooth itself, while periodontal disease is a combination of gum swelling and erosion of the ligaments and bone that supports the teeth. Mildest form of periodontal disease is gingivitis, while the most severe form is called acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis also known as trench mouth. Poor oral hygiene, unhealthy diet, alcohol and tobacco use may constitute in the development of dental caries and periodontal

As stated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “Each year, more than 30,000 new cases of cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx are diagnosed and over 8,000 deaths due to oral cancer occur.” (CDC). Most adults are unaware that they have periodontal disease or gum disease, this occurs because they do not maintain routine checkups with their dentist. When we insert food and other bacteria into our mouths, it affects our teeth and gums. We need routine dental checkups and cleanings throughout our lives. Dental checkups usually involve x-rays, cleanings, and the examination of the mouth.

Many people realize the importance of taking care of their teeth due to the immediate consequences of cavities, but it’s easy to underestimate the importance of having healthy gums. Signs of periodontal disease, often referred to as gum disease, may not be noticeable until the infection has occurred. These are three warning signs that your oral health problems are due to periodontal disease.

Gingival herpesvirus infection may promote subgingival attachment and colonization of periodontopathic bacteria similar to the enhanced bacterial adherence to virus-infected cells observed in other infections. Loss of virus-damaged epithelial cells may expose the basement membrane and the

Bacterial plaque that forms on your teeth and around your gums is the culprit that causes periodontal disease. When plaque accumulates on your teeth and around your gums, they soon become inflamed, swollen, and bleed

Periodontal disease, which is an infection of the tissue that surrounds the teeth, has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Those who had periodontal disease were two times more likely to suffer from coronary artery disease, one study has found. Good oral hygiene can prevent periodontal disease from occurring.

Each and every human mouth contains microorganisms, good and bad. It has been concluded that there are up to 1,000 variety of microorganisms residing in the oral cavity. Many of these bacteria are harmless to humans and are natural to the body. However, there are several that can cause decay and chronic infection in the oral cavity, which are also known as gram negative bacteria (Gehrig & Willmann, 2016). Biofilm, also known as plaque that forms on teeth, contains an organized matrix of microorganisms, which consists of these gram negative bacteria that can cause periodontitis. There are several types of biofilm in nature, but plaque in the oral cavity can be very destructive to a human’s periodontium and can place other organ systems at risk for harm. Bacteria reproduce very quickly and form huge colonies quickly as well (Gehrig & Willmann, 2016). It is important for women, who are pregnant or whom are trying to become pregnant, to have a thorough periodontal exam,

Skurska, A., Dolinska, E., Pietruska, M., Pietruski, J. K., Dymicka, V., Kemona, H., Arweiler, N. B., Milewski, R., Sculean, A. (2015). Effect of nonsurgical periodontal treatment in conjunction with either systemic administration of amoxicillin and metronidazole or additional photodynamic therapy on the concentration of matrix metalloprotrinases 8 and 9 in gingival crevicular fluid in patient 's with aggressive periodontitis. BMC Oral Health. doi: 10.1186/s12903-015-0048-0

Periodontal disease has two categories to classify that is known as gingivitis and periodontitis. Periodontal disease is known as a “bacteria infection that induces an inflammatory response in the periodontal tissue”(230 Gehrig,J).

Gum diseases (sometimes called PERIODONTAL or GINGIVAL DISEASES) are infections that harm the gum and bone that hold teeth in place. When plaque stays on your teeth too long, it forms a hard, harmful covering, called TARTAR, that brushing doesn't clean. The longer the plaque and tartar stay on your teeth, the more damage they cause. This is called GINGIVITIS. If gingivitis is not treated, over time it can make your gums pull away from your teeth and form pockets that can get infected. This is called PERIODONTITIS. If not treated, this infection can ruin the bones, gums, and tissue that support your teeth. In time, it can cause loose teeth that your dentist may have to remove.

A total of 50 patients visiting to the out-patient Department of Periodontics, M.S. Ramaiah Dental College and Hospital, Bangalore who were diagnosed with chronic periodontitis were recruited into the study. The ethical clearance for this study was obtained from the ethical committee of the institution. Patients within age group of 30 to 79 years with a minimum of 10 natural teeth present, patients with bleeding on probing in at least one site, patients with chronic periodontitis with at least two teeth with periodontal pockets of 5–8 mm in depth, patients with radiographic evidence of alveolar bone loss and patients who have not undergone any periodontal treatment in the previous 6 months were selected for the study. Patients with systemic antibiotic therapy or use of NSAIDs prior to study entry and throughout the study duration, patients on medication known to potentially result in gingival overgrowth, pregnant or lactating females, patients with Type I diabetes or non-stable type II diabetes, patients with known allergies to NSAIDs or Chlorhexidine, patients with smoking habit and sites

Gingivitis is a mild reversible periodontal disease that results in inflammation of the gum tissue. If not treated it can lead to irreversible damage of the associated ligaments and bone that support the teeth, leading to a more serious condition known as periodontitis (Arndt and Nagelberg, 2010). In most cases of gingivitis, bacteria normally found in the mouth ingest and convert carbohydrates into acid. The combination of bacteria, acid, food, and saliva form what is known as plaque (Wood, 2006). If plaque is not removed, it hardens and becomes calculus, which is usually found built up around the base of the tooth. The bacteria found in plaque also contribute to the inflammatory response by releasing toxins that

Even though every individual responds differently to the bacteria build up, it is still a critical factor and cause most of the problems within the periodontium. The bacteria in the plaque produces and release enzymes and toxins and destroys the supporting tissues and lowers the host defenses. Individuals are encouraged to practice good oral hygiene such as brushing and flossing, visit their dentist regularly, and consume a good eating habit to reduce the risk of periodontal disease.

According to WHO, Oral health means more than good teeth; it is integral to general health and essential for well-being. We use our face and teeth as a front to face the world. We speak, smile, taste, chew, express our self using our oro-facial structure. Disease of this area severely restricts our physical, psychological and social activities and thereby decreasing quality of life. The wider meaning of oral health does not diminish the relevance of two globally leading oral afflictions- dental caries and periodontal diseases. Both can be effectively prevented and controlled through a combination of community, professional and individual action.1,2