THE INTERRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ORAL HEALTH AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Alina-Elena Jehac, Ovidiu Ștefănescu, Norina Consuela Forna, Raluca- Alina Dragomir, Lorena Morarașu, Emanuel-Francisc Anti, Doriana Agop-Forna

Abstract

Oral health is a fundamental component of overall health and directly contributes to an individual’s physical, psychological, and social well-being.Epidemiological data suggest a potential association between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Nonetheless, a clear consensus on a direct link between these pathologies has not been established, largely due to the substantial overlap in shared risk factors and comorbidities that characterize both conditions. This review seeks to re-examine and update the available evidence supporting this association by synthesizing data relevant to causality between periodontitis and CVD-related comorbidities, including endocarditis, hypertension (HTN), atrial fibrillation (AF), and coronary artery disease (CAD). Oral health is integrated into overall health because disorders of the oral cavity—particularly complicated dental caries and periodontal diseases—can act as persistent sources of infection and chronic inflammation, with the potential to induce transient bacteremia and a systemic inflammatory response.Consequently, maintaining optimal oral health has implications that extend beyond the local level and may contribute to the prevention and management of systemic conditions; however, establishing a direct causal relationship is often limited by the presence of comorbidities and the influence of confounding factors. The article also examines how periodontal therapy may support improved control of CVD-related comorbidities by reducing periodontal inflammation and the associated systemic inflammation.In this context, periodontal care is considered a potential adjunctive strategy within multidisciplinary management of patients with overlapping oral and systemic disease.

DOI : 10.62610/RJOR.2025.4.17.19