Periodontal Disease: General Aspects from Biofilm to the Immune Response Driven by Periodontal Pathogens

Periodontal disease is of inflammatory origin and affects the dental support tissues. The initial phase is characterized by the accumulation of biofilm, which is a predisposing factor for several oral pathologies. The combination of extrinsic factors such as lack of hygiene, smoking and diet, and intrinsic factors such as genetics, and major changes in the immune response associated with immune escape mechanisms of biofilm constituents are crucial to the development and progression of the disease, which when untreated entails local irreversible consequences that can lead to systemic changes. In this brief review, we describe general aspects of periodontal disease, its risk factors and ways of preventing the disease. In particular, we discuss some of the mechanisms of immune response to periodontal pathogens, as well as the escape mechanisms of these microorganisms.