The Two‐Way Association of Periodontal Infection with Systemic Disorders: An Overview

Abstract

Oral cavity that harbors diverse bacterial populations could also act as a site of origin for spread of pathogenic microorganisms to different body sites, particularly in immunocompromised hosts, patients, the elderly, or the underprivileged. A number of recent publications have advocated that patients with periodontal diseases are more susceptible to metabolic endotoxemia, inflammation, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other related systemic complications, concluding that periodontal diseases could be a potential contributing risk factor for a wide array of clinically important systemic diseases. However, despite a significant increase in the prevalence of periodontal infections and systemic diseases in the past few decades, the fundamental biological mechanisms of connection between these ailments are still not fully explicated. Consequently, the mechanisms by which this bidirectional damage occurs are being explored with a concentric vision to develop strategies that could prevent or control the complications of these ailments. This paper attempts to summarize and hypothesize the diverse mechanisms that hint to a certain connection between the two prevalent chronic situations.

Respiratory

“…Oral health must also be considered as a contributing factor to respiratory health [27]. For example, in patients affected with periodontal disease, 1 mm of dental plaque could contain around 10 9 of bacteria.…”

Assessment of the relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disorders: a questionnaire-based study

“…The association between them is the subject of research, and a variety of theories have been proposed, though most of them postulate the mediation of an inflammatory response [2]. This bi-directional relation between periodontitis and systemic disease such as diabetes, autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases is suggested by the fact that oral infection is a constant potential source for general infection and inflammation [3,4]. On the other hand, systemic factors that affect the overall condition of the body can have a negative influence on periodontal tissues.…”

Where periodontitis meets metabolic syndrome—The role of common health‐related risk factors

“…Periodontitis is induced by plaque and known factors contributing to disease progression include age, smoking, oral hygiene, alcohol consumption, depression, socio‐economic status, genetics, race, psychosocial stress, gender, obesity and wide array of systemic diseases and conditions . Taken together, it seems that periodontitis is not merely a consequence of plaque accretion but host factors have a significant contribution.…”