Porphyromonas gingivalis (6)
P. gingivalis invasion of gram positive bacteria
normally found between the teeth (6)
Although the mechanisms of how the disease develops in not clear, periodontal disease is today referred to as an “eco-genetic” disease, with both environmental and genetic implications.
Research in the past has provided supporting evidence that individual genetic differences may influence the chances or disease development as well as its progression. Individual differences may be observed in both infection susceptibility or in differences in the host immune system reaction.
As also made clear in the “eco-genetic” concept, environmental factors play a major in the development of periodontal disease. Through extensive research a number of factors have been found to play a role:
- Tobacco use: both smoking and chewing tobacco greatly increase chances of disease, playing a role in decreasing the immune response and creating a favourable environment for harmful bacteria.
- Use of various medications/drugs: any drug, whether illegal, prescription or over-the-counter that may cause a decrease in saliva production can play a role. Saliva has an important function in removing plaque and inhibition of bacterial growth.
- Diet: diet with low calcium or low Vitamin C and B levels can be harmful as they are important in gingival growth and repair (4).
Researchers continue to search for risk factors that may be associated with periodontal diseases and have suggested other factors such as diabetes, incidence of pregnant women passing it on to unborn children, or hormonal changes (4).
