Mouth and Dental Disorders Chapter 95 Periodontal Diseases Periodontal diseases inflame and destroy the structures surrounding and supporting the teeth, primarily the gums, bone, and the outer layer of the tooth root. Periodontal diseases are caused mainly by accumulation of bacteria. They can be affected by some general body conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, poor nutrition, leukemia, and AIDS as well as by smoking.
Inflamed gums are red and swollen and bleed easily.
Gingivitis, an extremely common condition, can develop any time after a person's teeth come in. Causes and Symptoms Gingivitis is almost always the result of inadequate brushing and flossing that allows plaque to remain along the gum line of the teeth. Although plaque is the main cause of gingivitis, other factors can make the inflammation worse, especially pregnancy, puberty, and birth control drugs. Some drugs can cause an overgrowth of the gums, so that removing plaque becomes more difficult, and gingivitis often develops. Also, birth control pills or injections can aggravate gingivitis.