GC: n

S: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001059.htm (last access: 8 August 2014); http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Gum-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx (last access: 8 August 2014).

N: 1. periodontitis, inflammation of the soft tissues around the teeth, characterized by swollen, tender gums, that may lead to the eventual loss of teeth. Periodontitis begins with the deposition of bacterial plaque on the teeth below the gum line, irritating and eroding the neighbouring tissues. At this state, the condition is reversible, but left untreated the inflamed margin of the gum begins to recede, exposing the roots of the teeth; eventually the alveolar bone that anchors the teeth becomes involved, loosening the teeth to the point where they may fall out.
2. Periodontitis is caused by certain bacteria (known as periodontal bacteria) and by the local inflammation triggered by those bacteria. Although these periodontal bacteria are naturally present in the mouth, they are only harmful when the conditions are right for them to increase dramatically in numbers. This happens when a layer of bacteria and food debris, known as plaque, builds up and is left undisturbed on the teeth, commonly in hard-to-reach areas such as between the teeth.

S: 1. EncBrit – http://global.britannica.com/science/periodontitis (last access: 8 August 2014). 2. http://www.efp.org/public/more-on-periodontitis.html (last access: 8 August 2014).

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S:

CR: pyorrhea