The periodentium refers to the supporting structures of the teeth. Periodontal disease can be caused by pathological processes (e.g. bacteria, cancer), exogenous factors such as plague, oral debris, mechanical irritation, traumatic occlusion and irritation from crown and filling materials, and some systemic factors such as vitamin and protein deficiencies, hormonal disturbances, and some blood imbalances.
There are several types of periodontal disease. Gingivitis, evidenced by red, swollen or bleeding gums, is the mildest form and untreated gingivitis usually advances to periodontitis.
Periodontal disease is one of the most widespread diseases of humans and deprives many people of all their teeth long before old age. No nation nor area of the world is free from it, and in most it has a high prevalence, affecting in some degree approximately half the child population and almost the entire adult population.
The worse the periodontal disease, the harder it is to manage high blood pressure. Among people taking blood pressure medicine, gum disease raised the systolic measurement by 2 to 3 mm Hg. In addition, treatment of periodontal disease reduced the likelihood of antihypertensive treatment failure.