Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – It is common to find resemblances between you and your parents. There are so many similarities between you and your family members. Genes play an important role in building your appearance. Many diseases can be genetic. You might get affected by a disease because it is in your family. If your family tends to gum disease, then you could also be at high risk of getting periodontal disease.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal diseases occur when there are infections and inflammation in the gums and bones that support the teeth. The early stage, of this disease, is called gingivitis. These gums become swollen and red, and they can also bleed. When the disease becomes severe it can lead to periodontal. These gums can pull away from the tooth, and the bone in the teeth can also be lost. Your teeth may loosen and can also fall out. Periodontal disease is seen commonly in adults. Periodontal disease and tooth decay can happen often and this can lead to the biggest threats to your dental health.
Periodontal disease occurs in two major forms: chronic and aggressive periodontitis. Periodontitis is a chronic and polymicrobial infection that is initiated by the presence of bacteria. The disease can accumulate in the gingival crevice region. It is a form of bacteria that can cause gingival inflammation. This can lead to the destruction of the periodontal ligament which is adjacent to the supporting bone. Periodontal disease also results in tooth loss.
Is Periodontal Disease Hereditary?
According to studies periodontal disease have some kind of genetic component. If you are suffering from serious gum diseases or face trouble with gums or teeth at an early stage, then it points towards a hereditary connection. Aggressive periodontitis is a relatively uncommon disease and causes rapid bone loss around certain teeth. It is most common among members of the same family.
Other studies have shown that there is a major genetic link between our immune response and the development of chronic periodontitis. The link between genetics and gum disease is apparent however this is still under investigation.
Several environmental factors can trigger gum disease. If you fail to brush or floss your teeth, then this can lead to periodontal disease. The best thing to overcome the disease is to use a proactive approach!
This disease is prevalent and is not evenly distributed across all populations. There is a small percentage, of people that can lead to destructive forms as well. Periodontitis is consistent and has a lot of heritable elements of susceptibility.
47.2% of adults that are above the age of 30 years suffer from some form of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease increases with age. There are 70.1% of adults 65 years and older that have periodontal disease.
What Are The Causes Of Periodontal Disease?
Bacteria in the mouth can infect the tissue that are surrounding the tooth. This can also lead to inflammation around the tooth and can develop periodontal disease. When bacteria stay on the teeth long enough, they can form a film called plaque. This eventually hardens to tartar, which is called calculus. Tartar build-up can also spread along the gum line. The disease makes the teeth harder to clean. You can rely on a dental health professional who can help you with removing the tartar and stop the periodontal disease process.
What Are The Warning Signs Of Periodontal Disease?
The following are major signs of periodontal disease:
People who have the periodontal disease can have bad breath and bad taste. This feeling doesn’t go away easily.
Red or swollen gums are a serious sign that you have a periodontal disease
Tender or bleeding gums can lead to periodontal disease and this is why you should get it treated before something serious happens
Painful chewing and Loose teeth can be a sign of periodontal disease and can damage the teeth
If you have Sensitive teeth and the Gums have pulled away from your teeth, then you could be suffering from the periodontal disease
Any change in the way your teeth fit together can be a sign as well
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How Does Genetics Play A Role In The Periodontal Disease?
Genetics plays an important role in periodontal disease. There is a strong link between your family history and periodontal disease. Individuals develop periodontitis easily if this disease is common in their family. Genetic factors play an important role in modulating the disease. Individuals interact with many environmental agents, that includes biofilm.
This determines the susceptibility to periodontitis and can play an important role in genetic and environmental factors. The disease doesn’t attack you with genes alone. You should bear in mind that there are some intrinsic characteristics and other lifestyle factors that can develop this disease.
At least 50% of periodontitis is due to heredity or genetic factors. There are some major Clinical observations, that prove that this disease is inherited. Some scientific studies, also suggest that the heredity of a host response pattern can be an important susceptibility factor for the development of periodontal diseases.
The micro-arrays and DNA sequencing, also contribute to the identification of specific genes. Several environmental, and behavioral factors can impact periodontitis susceptibility. The potential discoveries have also revealed that periodontal disease, has a lot of identified genetic determinants. You must learn how to safely control or modulate the host response. This includes the desired immune response and can block the progression of the disease. It shuts down by activating factors of bone resorption.
Epigenetics is the study of changes in patterns of gene expression. It doesn’t involve changes in the DNA sequence but is accumulated with the chemical modifications of DNA. The tests are associated with proteins and block the binding of transcription factors. This process involves histone modifications and DNA methylation that indicate the periodontal disease is due to genetic factors.
