|
| Periodontal Disease Causes |  Do you know that the healthy mouth is dwelling for more than 350 species of microorganisms and only less than 5% are involved in periodontal disease? Usually the dangerous bacteria are kept in check by the body’s immune system and good oral hygiene. But in people vulnerable to periodontal disease, the harmful bacteria can take over and begin the process that results in gingivitis and periodontitis.
The Role of Bacteria
Periodontal disease starts to develop when harmful bacteria conquer the antibodies and other anti-bacterial agents the immune system usually lets out to destroy them. After that these types of bacteria are free to grow and reproduce.
As the harmful bacteria proliferate, they march into the crevices between teeth and gums. There they make plaque; it is a soft, sticky substance that can become firm and form tartar (calculus). The bacteria in plaque and tartar produce substances that trigger the immune system.
The immune system replies by mobilizing fibroblasts (connective tissue cells) and a multiplicity of immune cells – including macrophages, monocytes and lymphocytes – to the site of the infection. This is a natural reaction that usually helps get rid of an infection. But the infection and immune reaction can cause gingivitis in red, swollen, inflamed gums.
In periodontitis, bacteria continue to motivate these inflammatory immune cells to produce a series of infection-fighting substances called cytokines. These cytokines promote inflammation. One of their many works is to notify other cells to come to the site and produce different substances. This enlarges the inflammation and further damages the gums.
Even worse, one cytokine notifies a certain type of cell to release enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases. These enzymes break down collagen in the tissues around teeth. Collagen is a fibrous material that is a part of bone, cartilage and connective tissue. Its destruction creates deep sacks in between teeth and gums and finally destroys the structures that hold teeth in place.
|
|
