Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria in plaque that accumulates around the gum-line (between the teeth and gums). If it is in the stage of “gingivitis”, which is inflammation of the gums, the gums can be reversed to a healthy state by removing plaque or tartar.

Causes of Periodontal Disease

There is a shallow groove called the “gingival sulcus” between a tooth and the gums. Bacteria in plaque that accumulate there may cause periodontal disease.
In addition, risk factors that indirectly cause or advance periodontal disease, are hidden in your “oral environment” and “lifestyle habits”.

Two Risk Factors

1. Oral Environment (Local Risk Factor)

The following are included among the risk factors that increase plaque or cause inflammation of the gums.

Tartar

If calcium or phosphoric acid in saliva is deposited into plaque, tartar forms. Since plaque easily accumulates on tartar, a vicious cycle begins, aggravating inflammation.

Teeth alignment

Misaligned teeth are often difficult to brush sufficiently, which can easily lead up to a buildup of plaque and inflammation.

Ill-fitting crowns, etc.

Plaque easily builds up around dental crowns or other dental fixtures that do not fit teeth.

• Bad habits
  Bad habits performed daily, such as mouth breathing or teeth grinding, aggravate periodontal disease.
  • Mouth breathing: if you have a habit of breathing through your mouth, your mouth will become dry and create an environment in which plaque easily accumulates. In addition, the resistance of your gums will be reduced, making the gums prone to inflammation.
  • Teeth grinding: strong force applied when grinding teeth will burden the periodontal tissue, making the gums prone to inflammation.

2. Lifestyle Habits (Systemic Risk Factor)

In order to prevent and improve periodontal disease, it is important to review your lifestyle habits, as well as your oral environment, to keep yourself fit.

Smoking

Smoking narrows your blood vessels, causing poor blood circulation in your gums. This reduces their resistance to periodontal disease, which aggravates symptoms.

Diabetes

When you have diabetes, your resistance to bacterial infection is reduced, often resulting in worsening periodontal disease. In addition, recent studies have revealed that treatment of periodontal disease improves blood sugar levels.

Stress

A decrease in your body’s resistance due to psychological stress or changes in lifestyle habits (brushing, smoking, diet, etc.) creates an environment where periodontal disease easily worsens.

Dietary habits

The habit of eating just sweets or soft food in large quantities increases plaque and causes it to easily accumulate on your teeth. In addition, irregular eating patterns and a nutritionally imbalanced diet negatively affect your general health.

Stages of Periodontal Disease Progression

Periodontal disease is divided into “gingivitis” and “periodontitis”, depending on the condition. If plaque that has accumulated in the gingival sulcus remains, it will cause inflammation of the gums, which is a stage called “gingivitis”. Moreover, if gingivitis is left untreated, the inflammation will spread to the alveolar bone. This stage is called “periodontitis”.

Changes in Symptoms (Healthy Gums - Gingivitis - Periodontitis)

The color and texture of the gums change with the worsening of the symptoms.