The interconnection of oral and systemic health

Abstract

Oral health is increasingly recognized for its interconnectedness to systemic health, with emerging evidence highlighting their bidirectional relationship. Oral diseases, affecting approximately 3.5 billion people globally, disproportionately burden low- and middle-income countries due to inadequate healthcare access. Recognizing oral health as a component of overall well-being emphasizes the need for integrative approaches linking dentistry and medicine. This Collection presents clinical and experimental studies addressing oral-systemic health connections. Clinical trials evaluated temporomandibular disorders, juvenile idiopathic arthritis impacts on TMJ deformities, oral rehabilitation post-esophagectomy, and botulinum toxin interventions for masseter hypertrophy. An animal study demonstrated combined skeletal regeneration potential of dietary hesperidin and recombinant BMP2. Additionally, a genome-wide association study of salivary microbiota linked genetic variants to cardiometabolic diseases, underscoring how host genetics influence oral microbial diversity and systemic health outcomes. In conclusion, collaborative dental-medical strategies are essential for improved patient outcomes and systemic health management.