Periodontal Diseases: Bug Induced, Host Promoted

Periodontal disease (PD) is one of the most ubiquitous diseases of mankind, considered to be the second most common dental disease worldwide, after dental decay. This chronic condition is characterized by a complex group of inflammatory diseases affecting the periodontium, or the tissues that surround and support the teeth. If left untreated, this condition can lead to progressive loss of the alveolar bone around the teeth and subsequent loss of teeth. In fact, PD remains the most common cause of tooth loss in the world today; in the United States, it has a prevalence of 30%–50% of the population and can affect up to 90% of the population worldwide [1]. Like other conditions intimately related to access to hygiene and basic medical monitoring, periodontitis tends to be more common in economically disadvantaged populations. Interestingly, in addition to humans, periodontitis is the most common disease found in dogs affecting more than 80% of dogs aged three years or older. The complex nature of PD involving interactions between microbial and host factors has made this disease entity difficult to study. Here we provide a brief account of our current concepts of PD, its etiology, and the relevant clinical implications of this prevalent inflammatory disease.