The Link between Periodontal Disease and Overall Health
- MedReport Foundation
- 14 minutes ago
- 3 min read
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease refers to inflammation and infection of the tissues that surround and support the teeth. The earliest stage is gingivitis, which usually involves red, swollen, or bleeding gums. Gingivitis is often reversible with improved oral hygiene and professional dental care (1). Periodontitis is more serious. In periodontitis, inflammation extends deeper below the gumline and damages the structures that hold teeth in place. Over time, this can lead to gum recession, deep periodontal pockets, loose teeth, and tooth loss (2, 4).
Common signs of periodontal disease include bleeding during brushing or flossing, swollen
gums, persistent bad breath, gum recession, pain when chewing, and teeth that feel loose or
shifting. However, periodontal disease can also progress quietly, especially in its early stages. This is one reason routine dental exams are important even when a person does not feel pain (1,4).
How Common Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is very common, affecting about four in ten U.S. adults aged 30 years or
older, while severe periodontal disease affects more than 1 billion people worldwide (1, 5).
How Gum Disease May Affect The Body
Gum disease may affect the body through chronic inflammation. In periodontitis, bacteria build up below the gumline and trigger an immune response. Inflamed gum tissue may allow bacteria and inflammatory molecules to enter the bloodstream, which may affect other parts of the body (2, 3). The clearest connection is with diabetes. People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing gum disease because high blood sugar can affect healing and the body’s ability to fight infection. At the same time, gum inflammation may make blood sugar harder to control. This is why periodontal care can be an important part of diabetes management (6, 7).
Periodontal disease has also been associated with cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke. Researchers believe this may be related to inflammation and the movement of oral bacteria into the bloodstream. However, this does not mean gum disease directly causes heart attacks or strokes (3, 8, 9).
How To Protect Your Gums and Overall Health
Periodontal disease can be frustrating. No one wants to see blood every time they brush or floss, or visit the dentist every three months for periodontal maintenance.
The good news is that periodontal disease is often preventable and manageable with consistent care. Daily plaque control is one of the most important steps. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between the teeth, and visiting a dental professional regularly can help reduce the risk of gum disease (1, 2). People can also lower their risk by avoiding smoking, managing diabetes, and seeking dental care when symptoms appear (1, 4). For people who already have periodontitis, treatment may include scaling and root planing and long-term periodontal maintenance.
References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About periodontal disease [Internet].
Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2024 [cited 2026 May 7]. Available
2. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Periodontal gum disease
[Internet]. Bethesda: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research; [cited 2026
May 7]. Available from: https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/gum-disease
3. American Dental Association. Oral-systemic health [Internet]. Chicago: American Dental
Association; [cited 2026 May 7]. Available from:
4. American Dental Association. Periodontitis [Internet]. Chicago: American Dental
Association; [cited 2026 May 7]. Available from:
5. World Health Organization. Oral health [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization;
2025 [cited 2026 May 7]. Available from:
6. Sanz M, Ceriello A, Buysschaert M, Chapple I, Demmer RT, Graziani F, et al. Scientific
evidence on the links between periodontal diseases and diabetes: consensus report and
guidelines of the joint workshop on periodontal diseases and diabetes by the International
Diabetes Federation and the European Federation of Periodontology. J Clin Periodontol.
2018;45(2):138-149.
7. Simpson TC, Clarkson JE, Worthington HV, MacDonald L, Weldon JC, Needleman I, et
al. Treatment of periodontitis for glycaemic control in people with diabetes mellitus.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022;4(4):CD004714.
8. Larvin H, Kang J, Aggarwal VR, Pavitt S, Wu J. Risk of incident cardiovascular disease
in people with periodontal disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Exp Dent
Res. 2021;7(1):109-122.
9. Meng X, Chen X. Periodontitis and risk of stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis
of observational studies. Front Neurol. 2025;16:1700946.
10. FMS Dental. Oral health & systemic health: the connection you can’t ignore
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