Obesity and periodontitis: a comprehensive review of their interconnected pathophysiology and clinical implications

Abstract

Obesity and periodontitis are significant health problems with a complex bidirectional relationship. Excess body fat is linked to systemic diseases and can lead to persistent inflammation, potentially harming periodontal health. Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the supporting structures of teeth, poses substantial health risks. Both conditions share pathological processes such as inflammation and oxidative stress, which aggravate health status and make treatment more challenging. Understanding this interaction is crucial for developing effective management strategies for both diseases. This study explores the multifaceted aspects of obesity and periodontitis and their reciprocal relationship.

Keywords: inflammatory response; obesity; oxidative stress; periodontal treatment; periodontitis.

Figure 1

Relationship between obesity and periodontitis. Inflammation in periodontal disease, mediated by the release of cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β, can be exacerbated in individuals with obesity due to a systemic proinflammatory state. This inflammatory condition contributes to dysbiosis and oxidative stress, worsening periodontitis. Additionally, chronic periodontal inflammation can negatively influence metabolic disorders and increase the risk of pregnancy complications, perpetuating a negative feedback cycle that impacts both oral and systemic health. Created with BioRender.com.

Figure 2

Impact of obesity on periodontal inflammation: a bidirectional cycle of damage. In obesity, adipose tissue acts as an endocrine organ releasing inflammatory substances such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, leading a dysbiosis that contributes to periodontal inflammation and exacerbation of periodontitis, resulting in the destruction of periodontal tissue and bone loss. Chronic inflammation is also associated with metabolic complications like insulin resistance, creating a bidirectional cycle of inflammation and damage between obesity and periodontitis. Created with BioRender.com.