What are the links between periodontitis and systemic disease?

From Volume 46, Issue 10, November 2019 | Pages 914-917

Authors

Aaron Lopez-Lago

Specialists in Periodontics (GDC), Periodontology and Implant Dentistry (EFP), Norfolk Dental Specialists, 1 Victoria Street, Norwich, Norfolk NR1 3QX

Articles by Aaron Lopez-Lago

Email Aaron Lopez-Lago

Mahbuba Tasnima Choudhury

MD, BDS, MSc, MClinDent

Specialist Registrar and Clinical Tutor in Periodontology, Guy's Hospital, Tower Wing, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT and

Articles by Mahbuba Tasnima Choudhury

Praveen Sharma

PhD, FHEA, MJDF(RCS Eng), BDS

Articles by Praveen Sharma

Abstract

That the mouth and the body are not disconnected should come as no surprise. In this article, the links between periodontal and systemic health will be reviewed by investigating these in both directions, starting with the more familiar effects of systemic conditions on periodontal health and progressing to the emerging effects of periodontal health on systemic health. Where suitable, tips will be provided for practitioners caring for patients with periodontitis and systemic diseases.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: In recognition of the important role that the oral cavity plays in the body and the important role that oral healthcare providers play in the management of the general wellbeing of patients, this article highlights the link between periodontitis and systemic heath. This allows practitioners to care more holistically for their patients.

Article

In this article, the links between systemic health and periodontal health will be examined, in both directions, starting with the effects of systemic health/factors on periodontal health and then effects in the opposite direction. The scope of this review will be limited to periodontal diseases, not gingival diseases, even though there are systemic factors, like hormonal changes in pregnancy and puberty and genetic conditions, like hereditary gingival fibromatosis, that influence gingival health.1,2 Again, to limit the scope of this review, ‘systemic factors’ exclude factors like smoking, ageing, gender and attitudes to healthcare, which have a clear effect on periodontal health but where an effect in the other direction is conceptually unlikely, for example periodontitis is unlikely to have a causal influence on smoking. Similarly, to limit the scope of the review, discussions on the oral microbiome are also excluded from this review.

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