# Periodontitis and systemic diseases: insights into the correlation, mechanisms, and clinical implications

## TL;DR

This review explores how periodontitis, a gum disease, is linked to various systemic conditions and highlights the importance of oral health for overall wellbeing.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive synthesis of bidirectional associations and mechanisms between periodontitis and systemic diseases.

## Key findings

- Periodontitis is associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other systemic conditions.
- Bacterial translocation and systemic inflammation are key mechanisms linking periodontitis to systemic diseases.
- Maintaining periodontal health is crucial for preventing or managing systemic disorders.

## Abstract

Periodontitis is a chronic oral infectious inflammatory disease caused by dental plaque, affecting approximately 35% - 50% of adults globally. Far from a localized oral condition, it exerts systemic pathogenic effects through multiple biological conduits. This review synthesizes current evidence on the bidirectional associations between periodontitis and a broad spectrum of systemic disorders, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes mellitus (DM), respiratory diseases, preterm birth, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Furthermore, the review delves into the potential pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning these associations, with emphasis on bacterial translocation, systemic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and oxidative stress pathways. The concluding remarks underscore the critical importance of preserving optimal periodontal health as a cornerstone of systemic wellbeing.

Medical illustration showing a mouth at the center, highlighting healthy and periodontitis-affected gums, surrounded by images depicting related systemic conditions including diabetes, respiratory diseases, premature birth, Alzheimer's disease, chronic kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Helicobacter pylori infection, and cardiovascular diseases.