Obesity-Related Impacts on Periodontal Health
Summary
Obesity is increasingly recognised as a significant risk factor for periodontal disease. Excess adipose tissue secretes elevated levels of pro‐inflammatory adipokines, such as leptin and resistin, which exacerbate systemic inflammation and impair immune regulation. This chronic low‐grade inflammation promotes recruitment of macrophages and neutrophils to periodontal tissues, leading to enhanced production of matrix metalloproteinases and cytokines that drive tissue destruction. Obesity also disrupts bone metabolism, favouring alveolar bone resorption and reducing the osteogenic capacity of periodontal ligament cells. Altered lipid profiles and oxidative stress further compromise the regenerative potential of periodontal tissues. Interactions between metabolic dysregulation and local microbial dysbiosis amplify periodontal breakdown, creating a cycle that undermines oral and overall health. Recognising this interconnection emphasises the importance of combined metabolic and periodontal management to mitigate disease progression and improve patient outcomes.
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Obesity-Related Impacts on Periodontal Health publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in obesity-related impacts on periodontal health across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Adipokines: Bioactive proteins secreted by adipose tissue that regulate inflammation and metabolism.
Dysbiosis: An imbalance in microbial communities that can promote disease states.
Osteogenic differentiation: The process by which stem cells develop into bone‐forming osteoblasts.
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs): Enzymes that degrade extracellular matrix components and contribute to tissue remodelling.
Subgingival microbiome: The community of microorganisms residing below the gum line, critical for periodontal health or disease.
References
- Transcriptomic analysis reveals shared gene signatures and molecular mechanisms between obesity and periodontitis. Frontiers in Immunology (2023).
- Long non‐coding RNA AC018926.2 regulates palmitic acid exposure‐compromised osteogenic potential of periodontal ligament stem cells via the ITGA2/FAK/AKT pathway. Cell Proliferation (2023).
- Obesity and periodontitis: a comprehensive review of their interconnected pathophysiology and clinical implications. Frontiers in Nutrition (2024).
- Dysbiosis of the Subgingival Microbiome and Relation to Periodontal Disease in Association with Obesity and Overweight. Nutrients (2023).
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