Gingivitis and periodontitis are common forms of periodontal disease affecting millions worldwide. While traditionally considered non-communicable, emerging research has challenged this notion, raising concerns about whether these conditions might be transmissible through saliva and close contact.
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✅ Gingivitis and Periodontitis: Definitions and Symptoms
Gingivitis is an early stage of periodontal disease characterized by inflammation of the gingiva without loss of attachment. Its signs include red, swollen gums, bleeding on brushing, and halitosis.
Periodontitis, a progression from untreated gingivitis, involves destruction of the supporting structures of teeth, including alveolar bone. It manifests as gingival recession, deep periodontal pockets, tooth mobility, and eventual tooth loss.
Both conditions are influenced by poor oral hygiene, genetic predisposition, smoking, and systemic diseases. However, increasing attention has turned to the potential of direct bacterial transmission.
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The development of gingivitis and periodontitis is driven by a dysbiosis in the oral microbiota. Key pathogens involved include:
° Porphyromonas gingivalis
° Tannerella forsythia
° Treponema denticola
° Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
These bacteria are organized in complex biofilms and have virulence factors that allow them to evade the immune system and promote inflammation. Studies have shown these microbes can be found in the saliva of affected individuals, suggesting a potential route for interpersonal transmission.
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While periodontal diseases are not classified as infectious diseases, evidence supports the possibility of bacterial transmission, especially among close contacts such as spouses, parents, and children.
➤ Salivary Transmission
A 2020 study by Kuru et al. demonstrated that spouses often share similar subgingival microbiota, especially when one partner has periodontitis (Kuru et al., 2020). Salivary exchange through kissing or sharing utensils may facilitate bacterial transfer.
➤ Vertical Transmission
Vertical transmission (from parent to child) has been observed with A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis. A 2022 study by Liu et al. confirmed the early colonization of periodontal pathogens in children from mothers with periodontitis (Liu et al., 2022).
➤ Horizontal Transmission
Peer-to-peer transmission, though less documented, may occur in communal living environments or through shared personal items.
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Understanding the possible transmissibility of periodontal pathogens emphasizes the importance of:
° Early diagnosis and treatment
° Improved hygiene habits within households
° Avoiding shared oral hygiene tools
° Raising awareness among dental professionals and the public
However, the presence of pathogens does not guarantee disease. Host response, immune status, and environmental factors significantly influence disease development.
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Current evidence suggests that gingivitis and periodontitis may be transmissible to a degree, particularly via saliva among close contacts. Though not contagious in the traditional sense like influenza, the oral microbiota associated with these diseases can spread and potentially contribute to periodontal pathology in others. This underscores the need for preventive strategies not only at the individual but also at the familial level.
📚 References
✔ Kuru, B. E., Laleman, I., Yalçin, F., & Teughels, W. (2020). The influence of periodontitis on oral microbiota transmission among family members. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 47(3), 333–342. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.13236
✔ Liu, X., Zhang, W., Wang, Y., Li, Y., & Zhou, X. (2022). Early transmission and colonization of key periodontal pathogens in children: A longitudinal study. Clinical Oral Investigations, 26(9), 5195–5205. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-022-04639-9
✔ Teles, R., & Wang, C. Y. (2021). Mechanisms involved in the association between periodontal diseases and cardiovascular disease. Periodontology 2000, 87(1), 254–273. https://doi.org/10.1111/prd.12380
✔ Slots, J. (2017). Periodontitis: Facts, fallacies and the future. Periodontology 2000, 75(1), 7–23. https://doi.org/10.1111/prd.12211
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