Periodontal disease as a potential risk factor for systemic diseases

Periodontitis is a local inflammatory process mediating the destruction of periodontal tissues. Advances in science and technology over the last century have greatly expanded our knowledge of pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. The oral cavity is a window into the health of the body. Periodontal diseases comprise a number of infectious and inflammatory conditions brought about by the interaction between supragingival and subgingival biofilms and the host inflammatory response. The oral cavity serves as the ‘port of entry’ for the most diverse array of foreign antigenic challenges of a bodily orifice. These challenges are transient and maybe in the form of, medication or killed bacterial antigens contained within food and drink. Oral diseases such as dental caries, periodontal diseases and other oral mucosal lesion have a profound effect on general health and quality of life.