How does calculus contribute to the development of periodontal disease?

Calculus plays a significant role in the development of periodontal disease primarily because it contains toxins that are derived from bacterial plaque. When plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, accumulates on the teeth and is not adequately removed through brushing and flossing, it can harden into calculus. This hardened deposit harbors a variety of bacteria that contribute to periodontal disease.

The presence of these toxins is particularly problematic; they can irritate the gum tissue, leading to inflammation and potentially harmful responses from the body's immune system. This inflammation is a hallmark of periodontitis, where the health of the periodontal tissues is compromised, resulting in tissue destruction and tooth loss if left untreated.

In contrast to this, while it is true that calculus can form barriers that make proper cleaning more challenging, as well as increase the adherence of bacteria, these aspects are more indirect in their contribution to periodontal disease compared to the direct impact of the bacterial toxins found within calculus. The assertion that calculus absorbs nutrients from the gum tissue does not accurately capture the primary mechanism by which calculus influences periodontal health.