Daryl E. Malena DDS
  Periodontics
10838 Old Mill Road
Omaha, Nebraska 68154
402 330 4100

Inflammatory periodontal disease, in the form of gingivitis and periodontitis may be the most common disease affecting humans. Everyone experiences gingivitis at some time in their life, and depending on the criteria used, maybe 70% of adults experience some periodontitis.  

Some drugs and allergic conditions can cause periodontal problems, but in most cases the cause is the accumulation of ordinary oral bacteria at the gum line between the teeth and the gingiva in the natural groove called the sulcus, between the tooth and the gums.  This cluster of bacteria is known as plaque is a biofilm, a colony consisting of many kinds of bacteria, each interdependent not just on each other, but also on the genetic and immune characteristics of the patient.  

After a period of only a few days, the body's immune system responds to this potential threat by sending white blood cells to the area. They accumulate in the gingiva next to the teeth and release protective chemicals that prevent worse diseases such as Necrotizing Gingivitis (Trench Mouth), but unfortunately cause damage to the gingiva that we recognize as redness and swelling--gingivitis.  If gingivitis is allowed to remain long enough, many of the symptoms go away but bone damage results--the condition known as periodontitis which can cause loose teeth and abscesses.

Recently much attention has been paid to the effects of inflammatory periodontal disease might have on the patient's general health.  There is growing concern that the bacteria from oral bacterial plaque and/or the biochemical components of inflammation such as C-reactive protein are significant causes of cardiovascular disease. 

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