Oral Health, U.S. 2002 Annual Report
Section 3: PERIODONTAL DISEASES
Periodontal diseases are infections caused by bacteria in the biofilm or dental plaque that forms on oral surfaces (US DHHS, 2000a). Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gingiva characterized by a change in color from normal pink to red, with swelling, bleeding, and often sensitivity and tenderness (US DHHS, 2000a). Gingivitis is usually reversible with good oral hygiene, such as regular tooth brushing and the use of dental floss.
In contrast, destructive periodontal diseases result in loss of the bone and other tissues that support the teeth (loss of attachment) and can ultimately lead to loss of teeth. Oral colonization by several types of bacteria is associated with severe forms of the disease. Its etiology is still unclear, but it appears to result from a combination of infection by these bacteria and a pattern of host responses that leads to loss of attachment.
Although some periodontal disease is usually associated with aging, severe destructive disease is only found in a small percentage of the population and susceptibility may have a genetic basis. Other known risk factors for destructive periodontal disease include tobacco use, which appears to be the most important environmental risk factor, gender, and diabetes mellitus, especially when accompanied by poor metabolic control (Genco, 1996).
There are numerous methods to measure and classify periodontal diseases including those published by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP, 2001; Armitage, 1999) and those used in Healthy People 2010 (US DHHS, 2000a). This section examines gingivitis and destructive periodontal disease defined as attachment loss of at least 4 mm at one or more sites.
REFERENCES
American Academy of Periodontology (AAP).
What are periodontal diseases?*
Chicago, IL: the Academy. Retrieved October 4, 2001.
Armitage GC. Development of a classification system for periodontal diseases and conditions. Ann Periodontol
1999;4:1–6.
Genco RJ. Current view of risk factors for periodontal diseases. J Periodontol 1996;67(10 Suppl):1041–1049.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy People 2010: Understanding and Improving Health. 2nd ed. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, November 2000a.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, 2000b.
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