Periodontitis in systemic rheumatic diseases

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is characterized by loss of the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone, and is a major cause of tooth loss. Results from clinical and epidemiologic studies have suggested that periodontitis and tooth loss are more prevalent in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Periodontitis and tooth loss are highly prevalent in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Both causal and noncausal mechanisms might be responsible for the association between periodontitis and RA

Periodontitis might be an important modifiable risk factor for RA

Mechanistic studies into the links between periodontitis and RA and the possible causal role of oral infections in the pathogenesis of RA are warranted

Well-designed epidemiologic studies are needed to establish the strength and temporality of the association between RA and periodontitis/tooth loss