Periodontitis and Systemic Diseases: Exploring the Bidirectional Link and Its Clinical Implications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ajm.2026.9.02.18Keywords:
Periodontitis, Systemic diseases, Systemic conditionsAbstract
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by dysbiotic microbial communities and a dysregulated host immune response, resulting in progressive destruction of the periodontal supporting tissues. Increasing evidence suggests that its effects extend beyond the oral cavity, establishing important associations with systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes, respiratory disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic kidney disease. The relationship is considered bidirectional, as systemic conditions can modify periodontal susceptibility and disease progression, while periodontal inflammation may contribute to systemic inflammatory and metabolic disturbances. Proposed mechanisms include bacteremia, systemic dissemination of microbial products, cytokine release, oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, and endothelial dysfunction. Understanding these interactions highlights the importance of integrating periodontal assessment with overall medical care. This review discusses the biological mechanisms underlying the periodontitis–systemic disease relationship, summarizes current evidence regarding major systemic associations, and explores their clinical implications for prevention, diagnosis, and multidisciplinary management.
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