What causes periodontitis?

Periodontitis is caused by bacteria that accumulate in dental plaque, particularly species like Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola. When plaque hardens into tartar, these bacteria trigger a chronic immune response that damages the gums and supporting bone structures. Poor oral hygiene, smoking, diabetes, and genetic factors increase your susceptibility to this bacterial infection and the inflammatory damage it causes.

What is the best test for periodontitis?

The Interleukin-1 Beta test is the most important blood test for periodontitis because it measures the inflammatory cytokine that drives tissue destruction in gum disease. Elevated IL-1 Beta levels indicate active inflammation and help assess how aggressively your immune system is responding to periodontal bacteria. While periodontitis is primarily diagnosed through dental examination and periodontal probing, this blood test provides valuable insight into the severity of the inflammatory response and can help guide treatment decisions and monitor your progress.

When should I get tested for periodontitis?

You should get tested if you notice bleeding gums when brushing or flossing, persistent bad breath, receding gums that make your teeth look longer, loose teeth, or painful chewing. Get tested immediately if you have red, swollen, or tender gums that do not improve with better oral hygiene. People with diabetes, smokers, pregnant women, and those with a family history of gum disease should consider regular inflammatory marker testing to catch periodontal problems early.

What are the symptoms of periodontitis?

Periodontitis symptoms include swollen, bright red or purplish gums that bleed easily during brushing or flossing. You might notice bad breath that does not go away, receding gums that expose more of your tooth or its root, new spaces developing between your teeth, and loose teeth or changes in how your teeth fit together when you bite. Advanced periodontitis can cause pus between your teeth and gums, and painful chewing as the supporting bone deteriorates.

Who is at risk for periodontitis?

People at highest risk for periodontitis include smokers, those with diabetes or immune system disorders, individuals with poor oral hygiene habits, and people with genetic susceptibility to gum disease. Your risk increases with age, particularly after 30, and if you take medications that reduce saliva flow. Hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause, vitamin C deficiency, obesity, and chronic stress also increase your vulnerability to periodontal infection and inflammatory damage.

What happens if periodontitis is left untreated?

Untreated periodontitis leads to progressive destruction of the bone and tissue supporting your teeth, eventually causing tooth loss. The chronic inflammation spreads bacteria and inflammatory markers throughout your bloodstream, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes complications, respiratory infections, and rheumatoid arthritis. Pregnant women with periodontitis face higher risks of premature birth and low birth weight babies. The infection can also form painful abscesses and make eating difficult as teeth become loose and unstable.

Can periodontitis be diagnosed with a blood test?

Periodontitis cannot be diagnosed with a blood test alone, as it requires clinical dental examination with periodontal probing to measure pocket depths and assess bone loss through X-rays. However, blood tests like the Interleukin-1 Beta test play a valuable supporting role by measuring inflammatory markers that reflect your body's immune response to the periodontal infection. These tests help assess the severity of inflammation, monitor treatment effectiveness, and identify systemic inflammatory risk, but they complement rather than replace traditional dental diagnostic methods.

How is periodontitis treated?

Periodontitis treatment begins with professional deep cleaning procedures called scaling and root planing, which remove plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line and smooth tooth roots to help gums reattach. Your dentist may prescribe antibiotic gels, mouth rinses, or oral antibiotics to control bacterial infection. Advanced cases may require surgical interventions like flap surgery to reduce pocket depth, bone grafts to regenerate lost bone, or tissue grafts to cover exposed roots. Ongoing maintenance with regular professional cleanings and excellent home oral care is essential to prevent recurrence.

How can I prevent periodontitis?

Prevent periodontitis by brushing your teeth twice daily for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least once daily to remove plaque between teeth. Schedule professional dental cleanings every six months or more frequently if recommended by your dentist. Quit smoking, maintain healthy blood sugar levels if you have diabetes, eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, and manage stress effectively. Use an antimicrobial mouthwash if recommended, and address any dental problems promptly before they progress to more serious gum disease.

What natural remedies help with periodontitis?

Natural remedies that support periodontal health include oil pulling with coconut oil for 10-15 minutes daily to reduce bacteria, rinsing with warm salt water to soothe inflamed gums and reduce swelling, and applying aloe vera gel to irritated gum tissue. Green tea contains antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation, and vitamin C supports gum tissue healing and collagen production. Turmeric gel applied topically has anti-inflammatory properties, and coenzyme Q10 may improve gum health. However, these remedies complement but do not replace professional dental treatment for active periodontitis.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

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Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

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Periodontitis Blood Test | Private MD Labs

Periodontitis Blood Test

What is Periodontitis?

Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that damages soft tissue and destroys the bone supporting your teeth. It is caused by bacteria accumulating in dental plaque, triggering chronic inflammation that breaks down periodontal ligaments and alveolar bone. The Interleukin-1 Beta test is the most important blood test for assessing the inflammatory response in periodontitis.

Written by Private MD Labs Medical Team

Last updated: December 30, 2025

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

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