What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, refers to inflammation

and infection of the tissues that support teeth.

Poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease.

But some people are more prone to this situation than others, even if 

they use proper brushing and flossing.

As periodontal disease progresses, you lose more bone and tissue around your teeth. 

This can lead to many complications, including gum recession and tooth loss.

Periodontal disease

Periodontal disease begins in the gingival sulcus, a cuff of soft tissue around the necks

of the teeth where they emerge through the gums.Healthy gingiva are pink in color and the sulcus depth

 ranges from 0 to 3 mm measured from the tip of the gingival margin to the base of the sulcus.

The attachment fibers connecting the gums to the teeth and the teeth to the bone are intact. 

The gums are resilient and neither bleed nor hurt when being probed.

During meals, food debris accumulates in the sulcus. 

When mixed with mouth bacteria and proteins from saliva,plaque and less obvious biofilm are formed.

Both are harmful to teeth and periodontal structures.Left in place on the teeth, 

bacterial plaque and biofilm begin to mineralize, Forming hardened deposits called calculus, 

which can only be removed with dental instruments.

In response to the increased bacteria adjacent to the soft gingiva,

 The body sends immune cells and healing cells to the area by way of the circulation.

The increased blood flow to the gingiva produces red, enlarged and tender gum tissues,

a reversible condition known as gingivitis, in which the periodontal attachment fibers remain intact. 

Continuous exposure to acids and enzymes from plaque bacteria and the body's immune

 response to them eventually causes the periodontal attachment to be lost,

An irreversible condition known as periodontitis.

The sulcus depth increases to the point where the patient can no longer effectively remove plaque, 

leading to the destruction of tooth-supporting bone.

Smoking impairs blood flow and can significantly interfere with a patient's ability to fight the bacterial infection. 

Other factors may be involved.

Generalized periodontitis affects all of the teeth.They may loosen, appear unnaturally long and unattractive, 

and may ultimately be lost. When multiple back teeth are lost,

The front teeth may be unable to support closing forces of the jaw muscles. They begin to tip and move.

The cheeks begin to collapse inward where the back teeth are missing,

And the lack of proper support for the jaw joints may cause them to ache, pop and click.

Periodontal bacteria can enter the body's circulatory system through leaky blood vessels. 

Once inside, the bacteria can lead to blood clots and inflamed vessels,which constrict in diameter, 

leading to strokes, heart disease, heart attacks and poor circulation in the extremities.