Explain periodontitis to me again ...

ckouza@eudoramail.com · medicine forum beginner Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 23

OK, here's my fundamental question about oral health: What causes
periodontitis?

I have been seeing a dentist and receiving prophylaxis every six months
for as long as I can remember. For the past couple of years my
cleanings have actually been every three months. I have also flossed
every night since 19 or 20 years old (I'm 31). Now, I want to be
rigourously honest about my hygiene. There was a period a few years
ago, corresponding with moderate depression, in which I only brushed
once a night. I never stopped flossing, and I never stopped my regular
dental visits.

Pocketwise, I have 5's and 6's. One dentist has told me that my bone
loss is *partly* related to my autoimmune conditions. The other dentist
never has much to say, but I get the impression that he considers the
"autoimmune connection" to be speculative at best. My periodontist had
even less to say ... he told me to use "Go Betweens" interproximal
brushes. They all told me my teeth look great (i.e. the enamel looks
fine).

Are they waiting for me to tell them something? Or give them some
hints/ideas?

I have a feeling that this is a complicated matter with many possible
factors involved, including: brushing technique, flossing technique,
clenching, genetic predisposition, occlusion, drinking mostly bottled
water, medication and dry mouth, nutrient malabsorption due to
cholestasis from my liver condition, etc.

George Chatzipetros · medicine forum Guru Wannabe Joined: 14 May 2005 Posts: 161

The cause is always destruction of soft and hard periodontal tissues by
bacteria. However, the rate and extent of destruction will generally be
complicated by several factors (immune response, smoking, oral hygiene,
general health, possible hereditary factors etc).

George Chatzipetros · medicine forum Guru Wannabe Joined: 14 May 2005 Posts: 161

One more thing: if you're 31 and your oral hygiene has been as good as
you described, 5s and 6s will usually mean that there is some systemic
factor affecting your perio condition.

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