Periodontal Disease and the Inflammation Epidemic

The concept of inflammation has been with us for a long time. It is important to know that inflammation is associated with chronic diseases such as diabetes and coronary heart disease among others. Inflammation has been studied and reported in the 2nd century and defined as infection, injury or irritation which then causes the tissue to swell, experience redness, pain and heat. On the other hand, a pathologic definition states that inflammation is a process that is caused by inflammation of cells responding to signals and a reaction of blood vessels that leads to the accumulation of leukocytes in extravascular tissues and fluids. Exceeding the normal limits of inflammatory vessels from the blood system starts a series of reactions.Although conditions such as diabetes, atherosclerosis and other common inflammatory conditions have been studied for many years, the environment in which most of these chronic diseases develop is being looked at more closely. These diseases may arise from the inflammation processes caused by injury or in many cases periodontal disease. However, a lot of research is still needed to prove whether the mechanisms associated with the inflammatory procedure can be used to diagnose, predict and treat inflammation.Periodontal disease is basically an inflammation epidemic in the mouth. Tooth decay and periodontal disease are very common diseases among adults and are seen as chronic infectious inflammation. According to a study carried out by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, more than 50% of adults have periodontal disease. The inflammation in periodontal disease is generally caused by anaerobic bacteria. Our mouth acts as a home to more than 700 different types of bacteria. This is because the mouth is moist, acidic and has a dark environment with warm temperature and a constant supply of nutrients. These factors make the ideal condition for bacteria to grow especially under the gum line and between the teeth.


The odor from anaerobic bacteria is the smell and taste we have in the mouth when we wake up in the morning. The bacteria are not only acidic but it also creates a water-resistant shield around the tooth, known as plaque. This is the reason why water alone does not help to remove plaque. The gums also act as a barricade around the tooth which prevents water or air from reaching the anaerobic bacteria located at the gum line.Despite the fact that bacteria will multiply within few hours, it is out of control in 24 hours. If a person has restorations, bridges and crowns or periodontal disease, chances are high they have high levels of bacteria even after brushing and flossing. Professional dental cleanings are a must to continue to keep the bacteria that cause inflammation down. Periodontal disease and the resulting inflammation is a disease that needs to be treated since it can is so heavily linked to life threatening illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, strokes, Alzheimer's and even cancer.