During your visit to the dental hygienist, you have been diagnosed with periodontitis. In this leaflet, you will receive more information about this condition.
What is periodontitis?
Dental plaque contains many bacteria. These bacteria cause gum inflammation (gingivitis). If left untreated, gingivitis can spread toward the jawbone, which is called periodontitis. Because periodontitis rarely causes pain, you probably won't notice it yourself. Only in an advanced stage do symptoms really develop. Such as loose teeth or space between teeth. On the X-ray, bone breakdown can be well diagnosed.
Who gets periodontitis?
Periodontitis is a multifactorial disease, which means that several factors play a role in the development of periodontitis. Some of these important factors include:
- Hereditary sensitivity: To a large extent, susceptibility to periodontitis depends on hereditary factors. This means that not everyone gets periodontitis. It does mean that if it turns out that you are prone to periodontitis, it cannot be changed. So you will always have to pay more attention to the health of your gums. Because the functioning of the immune system is largely hereditary, it is important for parents who are prone to periodontitis to be extra vigilant about gum disease in their children.
- Bacterial composition: Different types and numbers of bacteria occur in dental plaque from person to person. The aggressiveness of the bacteria can also vary greatly. As a result, one person's dental plaque can be much more harmful than another's. In addition, the body's resistance plays an important role in how you react to certain bacteria in the dental plaque.
- Smoking: Smoking has a negative effect on the gums and the treatment of periodontitis. While smoking, harmful substances (such as nicotine) are partially absorbed into the gums. In particular, nicotine inhibits natural defenses and reduces healthy blood flow. It is known that the rate of bone breakdown is faster in smokers. The inhibition of this breakdown is also worse and the gums do not recover as well due to smoking.
- Systemic diseases and stress: There is strong evidence that periodontitis is associated with some other health problems. Diabetes Mellitus, especially diabetes that is not properly set, increases the risk of periodontitis. Conversely, periodontitis affects proper diabetes setting. Cardiovascular disease is relatively more common in people with severe periodontitis. Psychological stress has a resistance-lowering effect, which increases the risk of worsening periodontitis.
Source: https://www.nvvp.org/patienteninfo/patienteninformatie/parodontitis
What happens if periodontitis is left untreated?
If periodontitis is not treated, the inflammation will spread and increase bone loss. This can eventually lead to the loss of teeth. Periodontitis also interferes with other dental treatments, such as the placement of crowns, bridges, implants and braces. Periodontitis can also cause bad breath and negatively affect your overall health.
What are the effects on the body?
Periodontitis increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, pregnancy complications such as premature birth and bacteremia. This means that bacteria, toxins or breakdown products enter blood or lymphstream due to constant inflammation in the mouth. Periodontitis can be accompanied by bad breath because the bacteria excrete substances that smell (halitosis/foetor ex ore).
- Cardiovascular diseases: Periodontitis may increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The inflammation can contribute to the development of blood clots, which can worsen a pre-existing calcification of the veins. As a result, people with periodontitis are more likely to develop heart disease. The risk of heart attack or cerebral infarction may be higher for someone with periodontitis. The bacteria that cause periodontitis can spread into the blood, leading to infection of prosthetic materials, such as artificial heart valves.
- Diabetes: Periodontitis can cause the blood sugar levels of people with diabetes to become dysregulated, making proper adjustment of medication difficult.
- COPD: People with chronic lung disease (COPD) may be more likely to have lung infections and an increase in COPD symptoms as a result of periodontitis.
- Pregnancy: When a pregnant woman has periodontitis, she is more likely to have a premature birth or a child with low birth weight and pre-eclampsia/pregnancy poisoning.
- Alzheimer's disease: The inflammatory substances released are linked to the inflammation in the brain that can cause Alzheimer's disease.
- Pneumonia: Infections in the mouth may be associated with an increased risk of pneumonia.
- Pancreatic and kidney cancer: Periodontitis is associated with gastrointestinal cancer and pancreatic cancer.
If you have any questions as a result of this information, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Mina Masoumi
Registered Oral Hygienist
Team The Delft Dental Practice