More than 350 species of microorganisms have been found in the healthy mouth. Periodontal infections are linked to fewer than 5% of these species. Healthy and disease-causing bacteria can generally be grouped into two categories: the harmless or helpful bacteria called gram positive aerobic bacteria (which need oxygen to survive), and gram negative anaerobic bacteria (which do not need oxygen). In periodontal disease, the bacterial balance shifts over to this second category and causes inflammation and injury to develop.⁴

When plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth) accumulates to excessive levels, it can harden into a substance called tartar (calculus). Both of these then grow below the gum line and serve as an excellent breeding ground for infective agents such as bacteria, fungi (mainly Candida yeast), and protozoa.^5,6 Inflammation causes a pocket to develop between the gums and the teeth, which then fills with the plaque, tartar, and microorganisms. This causes the soft tissue to swell and traps the plaque in the pocket.^5,7,8 Research shows that the toxins produced by these “bad bugs” stimulate the immune system to over-produce powerful infection-fighting agents called cytokines, which in excess can attack a person’s own tissues and cells, leading to increased inflammation and damage.⁴

Other factors which can cause periodontal disease include:

• Smoking/Smokeless Tobacco Use – Recent studies show that this may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of gum disease.
• Genetics – Research shows that up to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease despite aggressive oral health care habits.
• Female hormones – Hormones released before menstruation, during pregnancy, with the use of oral contraceptives, and during and after menopause affect the gums and can cause symptoms of gum disease.
• Stress – Research demonstrates that the immune system has a much more difficult time fighting off infection in the presence of stress. This means that the mild form of gum disease—gingivitis—is much more likely to advance to periodontitis when stress is part of the equation.
• Medications – Nearly 20 drugs have been shown to cause gingival overgrowth. Most commonly these are phenytoin (Dilantin^®), cyclosporine (Sandimmune^®), and a short-acting form of the calcium channel blocker nifedipine (Procardia^®).^5,7
• Diabetes – Those with diabetes are at higher risk for developing and having more severe infections and incidence of periodontal disease.⁵
• Poor Nutrition – Not only has research linked deficiencies of vitamin C, folic acid, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), and calcium to gum disease, but a diet low in nutrients can impair the body’s immune system, making it much more difficult to fight infections.^5,9 Additionally, the bacteria that cause periodontal disease thrive in acidic environments. Thus, eating sugars and foods that raise the acidity in the mouth also increases bacterial counts.
• Viral Infections – Certain herpes viruses are known causes of gingivitis, such as herpes simplex and varicella-zoster virus (the cause of chicken pox and shingles). Others, such as cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr, may also be contributing factors in the onset or progression of periodontal disease.⁴

There is also evidence (some of which comes from reports done by the "father of fluoridation" himself, H. Trendley Dean, D.D.S.) that fluoride causes a higher incidence of gingivitis, periodontitis, as well as oral cancer.^10,11,12 Interestingly, research has also shown that in those exposed to fluoride, Candida albicans was present (orally) in over 70% of cases, 80% of which showed a considerable intensification of periodontal disease.¹¹

Some pioneering research also links the presence of mercury (in dental amalgams) to intensification of periodontal disease due to the extremely detrimental chemical reactions which take place between the gram negative anaerobic bacteria associated with periodontitis and mercury. The study ventures to say that these adverse reactions may explain the high incidence of periodontal disease with seemingly unrelated diseases such as stroke and cardiovascular disease.¹³

Additional Information about Periodontal Disease

1. Periodontal Disease Overview
2. Common symptoms of periodontal disease
3. Help me choose a natural and alternative treatment for periodontal disease
4. Dietary and lifestyle recommendations that may help in the treatment of periodontal disease
5. Conventional or prescription medications used in the treatment of periodontal disease
6. Cited Sources and Additional Reading for periodontal disease

 

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Article ID: 229