Highlighting the Interrelationship between Gingival Diseases and Systemic Health

**17**

**Chapter 2**

**Abstract**

*Girish Suragimath*

Periodontal Disease and

Periodontal diseases are silent infections that often go undiagnosed until irreparable damage occurs to the teeth and oral structures. These chronic oral infections are characterized by the presence of a biofilm matrix that adheres to the periodontal structures and serves as a reservoir for bacteria (plaque). Response of the body toward the bacterial challenge of dental plaque can lead to bone loss and the migration of the junctional epithelium, resulting in periodontal pocketing and periodontal disease. This bacterial insult can result in destruction of the periodontal tissues that precipitates a systemic inflammatory and immune response leading to the release of several cytokines and immunomodulatory agents, which may affect systemic conditions and diseases. The influence of periodontal infection on systemic disease and conditions documented include coronary heart disease (CHD) and CHD-related events such as angina, infarction, atherosclerosis, and other vascular conditions; stroke; diabetes mellitus; preterm labor, low birth weight delivery, and preeclampsia; and respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preeclampsia, preterm delivery, and intrauterine growth restriction, and fetal demise affect a significant number of pregnancies and are a major source of both maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. This chapter highlights the two-way relationship between

**Keywords:** adverse pregnancy outcome, preterm birth, low birth weight baby,

Periodontitis has prevailed in human history from the dawn of civilization and still is a major cause of tooth loss in adult population. The etiology of periodontal disease (PD) is complex in nature, and it is a multifactorial disease, which is largely influenced by genetic, environmental, and microbial factors [1]. The periodontal disease begins at the gingiva and progress downwards and affects the tooth-supporting structures, i.e., periodontal ligament, cementum of the root, and alveolar bone. The clinical features of periodontitis are bleeding from the gums, pus discharge, dull gnawing pain, bad breath, mobility of teeth, pathological tooth

Periodontal disease results from a complex interplay between the subgingival biofilm and the host immune inflammatory event, which develop in the gingival and periodontal tissues in response to the challenge presented by the bacteria [2]. The bacteria may initiate the disease, but the progression is host immune-mediated,

migration, gingival recession, and exfoliation of teeth in severe cases.

Pregnancy Outcome

periodontitis and adverse pregnancy outcome.

periodontal disease, periodontal therapy

**1. Introduction**
