Nama Maba : Alfred Tanjung

Nama Pelita : Dentistry

PYORRHOEA

Dentistry is branch of medicine  that is involved in the study, diagnosis,

prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity,
commonly in the dentition but also the oral mucosa, and of adjacent and related
structures and tissues, particularly in the maxillofacial (jaw and facial) area. 1 One of
the diseases studied is pyorrhoea. Pyorrhoea is purulent inflammation of the gums
and tooth sockets, often leading to loosening of the teeth and a discharge of
pus.2Pyorrhoea is different with periodentitis, but both have some similarity.

The main cause of pyorrhea is mal-hygiene of the mouth, and the best way to
prevent is to put the principles of oral hygiene into operation. Of the individual
factors in causation the four chief are : (1) insufficient exercise of the teeth, (2)
stagnation of food about the necks of the teeth, (3) morbid states of the blood, and (4)
the formation of tartar. J.G. Turner describes it as a “dirt disease,” due to
accumulation round the necks of the teeth of sticky food.3

Many things can cause pyorrhoea. One of them is diabetes, diabetes can lead
to changes in the oral cavity such as gum-related problems like pyorrhea.4 The oral
symptoms of diabetes mellitus is a systemic promoting factor creating suitable
conditions producing pyorrhea.4 Pyorrhoea is a Gram-negative infection which may
result in severe inflammation with potential intravascular dissemination of micro-
organisms and their products throughout the body. However, pyorrhoea tends to be a
“silent” disease until destruction results in acute symptoms.4

If, due to inflammatory or morphological causes, the gingival margin cannot

follow the bottom of the crevice, as it recedes, then the crevice necessarily deepens.
Inflammation, as well as trauma, destroys the connective tissue fibres. Calculus, a
mechanical and infective irritant, which is formed by the saliva, is almost invariably
deposited on the root surface as the crevice deepens, causing further inflammatory
hypertrophy and further deepening.5

There are some ways to cure pyorrhea. One way to cure it is by using herbal
medicine. Azadirachtaindica fresh twig, Cinnamomumverum powdered, and
Curcuma longa powder of rhizome are some examples of herbal medicines which can
be used to cure or reduce pyorrhoea. Azadirachtaindica fresh twig is used as tooth
brush to prevent gum diseases and pyorrhea. Cinnamomumverum powdered stem
bark is applied to teeth in the treatment of caries and pyorrhoea. Curcuma longa
powder of rhizome is used in tooth powder for curing pyorrhoea.6
References

1. American Dental Association. 2012. Glossary of Dental Clinical and

Administrative Terms. American Dental Assotiation. (Online)
(http://www.ada.org/en/publications/cdt/glossary-of-dental-clinical-and-
administrative-ter accessed August 31, 2015)
2. Williams. 2011. The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
3. Campbell, Harry. 2013. What is Wrong with British Diet?. London: Portico
4. Bharateesh, J.V., Ahmed, Mansoor, Kokila, Ganganna. 2012. Diabetes and
Oral Health: A Case-control Study.Int J Prev Med 3(11): 806-809. (Online)
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3506093, accessed on August
31, 2015).
5. Hayden, W.Y. . 2010. PyorrhoeaAlveolaris: Its Relationship to Systemic
Disease .Journal of Dental Health Bytes. (Online)
(http://www.dentalbytes.com/book-review/those-who-write-3/pyorrhea-
alveolaris.htm, accessed on August 31, 2015).
6. Yadav, Reenu, Yadav, S.K. 2013. Dental Disease and Its Cure. Asian Journal
of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research. (Online)
(http://www.ajpcr.com/Vol6Suppl2/1754.pdf , accessed on August 30, 2015).