What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease (gum disease) is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by a polymicrobial infection in the tissues that support the teeth. It begins as gingivitis, a reversible inflammation of the gums, and can progress to periodontitis, where the infection damages the bone and connective tissue, potentially leading to tooth loss.

The disease is primarily triggered by pathogenic bacteria in dental plaque biofilms. These bacteria elicit an immune response that leads to chronic inflammation and tissue destruction. Left untreated, periodontal disease not only compromises oral health but has also been linked to a wide range of systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.

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Tonetti MS, Jepsen S, Jin L, Otomo-Corgel J. (2017). Impact of the global burden of periodontal diseases on health, nutrition, and wellbeing of mankind: A call for global action. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 44(5), 456–462.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.12732

Hajishengallis G. (2014). Immunomicrobial pathogenesis of periodontitis: Keystones, pathobionts, and the host response. Trends in Immunology, 35(1), 3–11.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.it.2013.09.001

CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Periodontal Disease.
https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/conditions/periodontal-disease.html

Kinane DF, Stathopoulou PG, Papapanou PN. (2017). Periodontal diseases. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 3, 17038.
https://doi.org/10.1038/nrdp.2017.38