Gum disease: gingivitis, periodontitis and gingival recession

General

In the oral cavity, there are two main types of microbes: those responsible for the formation of tooth decay and those responsible for gum disease and periodontal. These microbes are present in the bacterial plaque. They produce toxins and enzymes that attack the gums and periodontal of the tooth.
They cause diseases known as gingivitis and periodontal bacteria, which in the longer term, lead to the loosening of teeth, even their fall.

The bacterial gingivitis

It is the inflammation of the gums by bacterial plaque. This inflammation is a response from the body to attack by setting up a defense system: the immune system.

It is often a painful swelling of the gums which appears red, smooth and sometimes bleeding at the slightest touch (during chewing or brushing).
This gingivitis can be localized to one or more teeth but can also extend to the whole of the dental arch.
The disease is the first step of diseases that can reach the periodontium.
In addition, recent studies suggest that the bacterium Bacteriodes gingivalis, which is involved in gingivitis, could be linked with atherosclerosis.

It is reversible if eliminate bacterial plaque that is the cause and the establishment of an effective brushing, a scaling if necessary and use as an adjunct antiseptic mouthwash prescribed by the dentist.
Risk factors for development of gingivitis

These are factors either local or general.

1. Local factors
Most of the time gingivitis due to a local cause:
poor oral hygiene, the presence of tartar, teeth malposition, fillings (amalgam and / or composite) old dental crowns poorly adapted and / or the presence of fixed braces, which hold more easily plate Make brushing less effective and thus the accumulation of bacterial plaque.
With the plaque, there is a gradual increase in bacteria content increasingly destructive, which together produce toxins. These toxins accumulate and eventually cause the formation of pus bags, the 'pockets'; ago then attack oral tissues and trigger the body's inflammatory response.

2. The general factors
It all factors that will affect the defense response of the body (inflammatory / immune). They make the gums more susceptible to attacks of tartar or plaque bacteria. At the slightest irritation, the gum into flames.
These include: hormonal factors (during puberty, rules, pregnancy, menopause …), smoking, stress and certain diseases of the immune system (the AIDS virus, hepatitis … ).
In addition, in metabolic diseases like diabetes, there is an imbalance of flora mouth, components of saliva, leading to the development of gingivitis.
Finally, they may also be due to a deficiency of vitamins.

It is therefore necessary, in the presence of these factors, not let the elements settle irritants, ie to eliminate bacterial plaque even more drastic and more frequent cleaning.

Periodontitis:
When gingivitis is not treated, in the longer term, it will evolve into periodontal disease: periodontitis.
The bacterial plaque that has accumulated will migrate to the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone.

Microbes that bacterial plaque, known as gum, are, first, destroying the tissue supporting the teeth (ligament and bone) under the action of toxins and enzymes they produce, and secondly, turn into tartar in gingival drive that increase in the phenomenon of mechanical destruction.

It should be noted that smoking is considered a major risk factor for the development of periodontitis.

The consequences of periodontitis

1. Mobility and dental gums
The anchor teeth (alveolar bone and periodontal ligament) is gradually destroyed, making the teeth mobile: they move and can differ from each other.
The 'leak' of the bone to the tip of the root is followed by the gum: the root appears gradually, the loosening of teeth. If no treatment is undertaken, the destruction continues until the fall of spontaneous tooth.

2. Periodontal abscess
The destruction of the tissues supporting the tooth causes the formation of periodontal pockets, real nests bacteria to cause infection localized phenomenon: the periodontal abscess which results in seepage of pus.

Gingival recession:
With age, gums tend to descend, leaving the root unprotected. This phenomenon is called gingival recession. The root is exposed to the oral environment. It is more susceptible to cavities, dental sensitivity increases, because it is not covered with enamel.