What is periodontitis?

The crown of the tooth is covered with tooth enamel. Below this is the dentin and below this is the nerve of the tooth (dental pulp). To be precise, the pulp consists of the nerve, blood vessels, and connective tissue. While the enamel has no nerves and is therefore not sensitive, the dentin beneath it has nerve fibers. The surface of the root is thus also sensitive to pain.

The dentin is the major component of the root. The root is also covered by a hard layer called the cementum. The tooth is held in place in the jawbone along the entire surface of the root by anchoring fibers (periodontal ligaments). These fibers are anchored in the dentin and also in the jawbone.

The root of the tooth is longer than the crown. The eye teeth in the upper jaw in particular usually have very long roots.

To be precise, the gingiva is the outer edge of the tissue that holds the teeth in the bone. The gingiva consists of a thin outer layer (epithelium) and a somewhat thicker fibrous layer beneath (connective tissue). This fibrous layer contains a few blood vessels in addition to the many fibers of connective tissue. This is why healthy gums are light pink.

The inflammation at the gum line (gingivitis) turns the gums red to dark red, because the blood vessels in the connective tissue there are dilated due to the inflammation.

If optimal oral hygiene at home is practiced, the bacterial plaque is removed regularly and the gums can recover within a few days.

Gingivitis is not a rare inflammation. Every person has several of these areas in their mouth throughout a lifetime. However, they are a sign that these areas were not cleaned properly. Such areas also pose a risk for developing periodontitis.

During pregnancy, there is an increased tendency for gingivitis due to hormonal changes. Pregnant women should pay particular attention to good oral hygiene and see a dentist during their pregnancy.

The term “periodontium” is used for all components that hold the tooth in the jawbone. It includes the gum (gingiva), the jawbone that holds the tooth, the anchoring fibers, and the anchoring structure on the surface of the root called cementum.

The periodontium ensures that the teeth are held in place in the jawbone. The anchoring fibers give the teeth a high level of functional strength even with high chewing forces.

In a healthy tooth, the periodontium surrounds the entire root. Only when there is inflammatory disease of the anchoring structure (periodontitis) does bone loss occur in the jawbone.

As a result of the inflammation of the gum line (gingivitis), there may be loss of the anchoring fibers and the jawbone. In place of the healthy fibers, what is called a gum pocket develops along the tooth. The root surface located there is covered with bacterial film (dental plaque and tartar).

The loss of the anchoring fibers and the jawbone may cause the teeth to become loose. If the disease remains undetected and is not treated, the tissue loss can continue until the teeth cannot be used for chewing and have to be pulled (extracted).

Around 40 percent of people suffer from periodontitis. Among adults, it is estimated that around 70% of tooth loss is due to periodontitis today.