ECOL409 by Mariah John https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259 en-us 2023-03-19 23:59:35 UTC 2025-10-09 15:56:04 UTC hello@padlet.com Periodontal Disease-3/19/23 mjohn17 https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2522649490 Periodontal Disease | Oral Health Conditions | Division of Oral Health | CDC
Periodontal disease is one of the two biggest threats to dental health. Three bacteria have been identified as causing agents: P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans, and B. forsythus (40). Further, genera include Treponema, Bacteroides, Porphyromonas, Prevotella, Capnocytophaga, Peptostreptococcus, Fusobacterium, Actinobacillus, and Eikenella. Mostly seen in adults, it can cause gums to pull away from the teeth, bone lost (on the jaw line), and teeth lost as well. ]]> 2023-03-20 00:58:55 UTC https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2522649490 First Detection, Infectious Agent, and Type of Disease. (3/26/23) mjohn17 https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2532114276 Oral health has been one of the most important health avenues in history. One of the earliest observed cases of periodontitis was found in Egyptian mummies and in the early 1700s, it made its way into scientific research. 
Bacteria is found to be the primary etiologic factor for periodontal disease. In this case, three bacteria have been found as causative agents those being: P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans, and B. forsythus. 
Periodontal disease can be considered as old as the history of mankind and should be viewed as an infectious disease-Lecture 4 explains that an infectious disease is best defined as any disease that's caused by another organism. ]]> 2023-03-26 23:24:40 UTC https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2532114276 Where did the disease spread? Timeline? Affected people? (4/2/23) mjohn17 https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2541795950 According to the Journal of Public Health and Emergency (JPHE), the highest burden of periodontal disease was recorded in South-east Asia and Western Pacitic. However, the region that has displayed the largest increase was the Western Pacitic. Periodontal disease also has been prevailing for the past three decades making it the 12th most prevalent pathology around the world. Ultimately, women have 13% higher risk of incident and prevalent disease and periodontal disease has been shown to increase after 19 years of age. Further research still needs to be conducted; however, it is found that periodontal disease causes other alarming complications that directly cause death such as heart disease. In this case, 3.41% to 46.07% die from this disease. ]]> 2023-04-03 05:45:11 UTC https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2541795950 Virulence (4/9/23) mjohn17 https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2548125878 From lecture 9 of this course, a microorganism or pathogen's ability to infect/harm a host is known as virulence.
With periodontal disease the infectious nature of the microbes associated with it is unclear, however, its virulence factors are exotoxin, endotoxins, fimbriae and capsule. The best-known example of a specific bacterial subtype with implications for periodontal disease is the JP2 genotype of A. actinomycetemcomitans, which is a high virulent clone (high toxic clone) strongly associated with severe periodontal breakdown in young individuals of West African populations. With regular treatments some of the virulence factors of periodontal disease decrease. However, there are evidence that show other factors that cause periodontal disease (plaque) has changed overtime. ]]> 2023-04-09 20:59:13 UTC https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2548125878 Periodontal disease: how it is handled, medical advances used, and applied technologies. mjohn17 https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2556287790 The first challenge in handling periodontal disease is a timely and accurate diagnosis (because loss of periodontal bone and soft tissue is incremental and largely irreversible). Diagnosis of chronic periodontitis is mostly based on an array of clinical measurements that include clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing, probing depth, and radiographic findings. An accurate diagnosis (at specific sites and of the patient overall) requires recording multiple parameters (including bleeding on probing, probing depth and clinical attachment level) at six locations per tooth (whether affected or not), which results in a laborious diagnostic process that is also dependent on the expertise of the examiner. Furthermore, this process needs to be regularly repeated at recall visits to monitor the disease course. Some medical advances include: Pocket Reduction Surgery, Soft Tissue Grafts, Bone Grafting, Guided Tissue Regeneration, and Tissue-Stimulating Proteins. New technologies applied is laser energy. Laser Dentistry is a invasive and effective treatment that can remove tooth decay, reshape gums, and whiten teeth. ]]> 2023-04-17 03:11:10 UTC https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2556287790 Leadership/Governmental Response mjohn17 https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2561262779 It is found that one in ten adults worldwide may be affected by periodontitis- this makes it more prevalent than cardiovascular disease; periodontal disease is the 11th most prevalent disease worldwide. However, despite the global aspect of periodontitis, assistance from the public health seems far less than it should be and the prevention depends on individual efforts. Therefore, the development of a comprehensive public health strategy and prevention for periodontitis is still in an evolving stage; some strategies are still emerging.  ]]> 2023-04-20 06:56:35 UTC https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2561262779 Combatting Periodontitis mjohn17 https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2561277444 Gingivitis can be controlled and treated when steps are taken for good oral hygiene. Another defense strategy against periodontal disease is regular professional cleanings. Even the more severe cases of periodontal disease can be treated. Treatments include: 
-Deep cleaning (below the gum line)
-medication 
-surgery
For prevention: 
-Brushing and flossing daily 
-Seeing a dentist or periodontist (more frequently if one is at risk). 
As for the actions taken by the CDC, they are currently working with the American Academy of Periodontology and the American Dental Association to improve and keep track of periodontitis among the US population.  Their efforts include: 
-developing measures for surveillance at the state and local levels 
-improving validity 
-creating strategies for screening in the clinical settings]]> 2023-04-20 07:09:36 UTC https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2561277444 Better strategy? mjohn17 https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2561282841 Periodontal disease is considered to be preventable. There are two interventions that were recommended by the CDC and their partners in which I think would be beneficial. The first recommendation is: School sealant programs, which is a program for students that provide dental sealants. They estimate that this course of action could prevent at least 3.4 million cavities over 4 years. The second recommendation is: Community water fluoridation, which is a process that adjusts the amount of fluoride in water that prevents cavities. These recommendations are valid in my opinion, and it could prove to be two strategies that leadership could do in response to this disease. ]]> 2023-04-20 07:14:44 UTC https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2561282841 Societal & Sociological Impact mjohn17 https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2575807467 The impact periodontal disease has made on society is one that is not really touched upon among the scientific community. However, it is estimated that periodontal disease, if left untreated and not researched enough, will affect 19% of the adults globally-1 billion people. This makes the global burden high. It was also found that periodontal disease affects adult nutrition, quality of life, and has a high socio-economic impacts and healthcare cost. The global cost from severe periodontitis has been estimated to be 54 billion USD/year, while the total economic impact of periodontal diseases accounts for a major component of the 442 billion USD, direct and indirect cost of oral diseases incurred in recent years. It was also suggested that periodontal disease will only continually impact society because the population is also continually growing/increasing.  ]]> 2023-05-02 22:03:06 UTC https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2575807467 Societal Behavior mjohn17 https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2575826190 Although behavior on periodontal disease has been somewhat sluggish it still shows progress compared to 25 years ago. Therefore, with the rise in information sharing among the internet and social media, awareness for periodontal disease has been prevalent. In controlling periodontitis in populations therefore requires a number of complementary strategies. Controlling periodontitis has (3) strategies: 1) a population strategy for altering life practices, particularly those determining smoking behavior and oral self-care (plaque removal) in the community; 2) a secondary prevention strategy to detect and treat people with destructive periodontal disease; and 3) a high-risk strategy for treating existing disease and preventing further disease in those at special risk. The Common Risk Factor Approach and the health promotion approach are key aspects of these strategies. Society behavior change also influenced teeth whiting and more brushing- due to social media, bullying can occur over teeth appearance. ]]> 2023-05-02 22:34:29 UTC https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2575826190 Learning from the Physical Affect mjohn17 https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2575840160 Our teeth is the hardest substance in our bodies, not only does it assist us in chewing and eating our food, it also helps us speak and smile. Without our teeth these functions will be hard to accomplish-we would also lack nutrients, lack vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, and we would have to eat soft food and be limited to food we can eat. Periodontal disease causes bad breath, red and swollen gums, loose teeth, teeth lost, and bone deterioration. Therefore, these physical effects has led society to change, and learn. It has led to more research, more clinical treatments, and improved prevention techniques. The goal is to create a solid oral health environment and promoting advance dental treatments. ]]> 2023-05-02 22:55:45 UTC https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2575840160 Final Reflection mjohn17 https://padlet.com/mjohn17/48j4sn0djvjyb259/wish/2575959798 A) Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums that results in dire consequences. It is a serious infection that deteriorates the gums, the teeth, and the bone. When periodontal disease is not treated properly, it could cause bacteria to enter the bloodstream and affects other parts of the body. Some diseases that are linked to periodontal disease are respiratory diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, coronary artery disease, birth and prenatal complications, and maintaining blood sugar levels. Plaque is the most determined factor for periodontal disease, as plaque forms on your teeth, plaque hardens under the gumline (leads to tartar), plaque causes gingivitis, and plaque causes inflammation-all of these contribute to periodontal disease. Therefore, the most revealing aspect I've learned is that periodontal disease goes beyond the destruction of one's oral health; it also affects the body/organs by traveling through the bloodstream. 
B) Although the World Health Organization is aware of the implications of periodontal disease, there are few and almost non-existent procedures that prevent and treat periodontal disease. Severe periodontal disease affects around 19% of adults globally (1 billion people). Periodontal disease could also cause fetal heart attacks and strokes. With these affects to the population's oral health, I expected the response from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to be a bit more immediate. However, other diseases are deemed more concerning. Therefore, this response to this disease was most surprising. 
C) While researching this disease, I found that other factors could cause periodontal disease. Factors like diabetes, depression, blood pressure, age, gender, alcohol, smoking, education, and obesity. As we can observe these factors do not pertain to the generic brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist for treatment but these factors are much more extensive to one's overall health. Therefore, one suggestion to add to future Padlet assignments is supplementary factors that causes the disease of study. 
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