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Ageing and Inflammation: What Happens in Periodontium?
Luying Zhu1, Zhongyuan Tang1, Renjie Hu1
1Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, 34 Hospital Road, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China.
Abstract:
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease with a high incidence and severity in the elderly population, making it a significant public health concern. Ageing is a primary risk factor for the development of periodontitis, exacerbating alveolar bone loss and leading to tooth loss in the geriatric population. Despite extensive research, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the relationship between ageing and periodontitis remain elusive. Understanding the intricate mechanisms that connect ageing and inflammation may help reveal new therapeutic targets and provide valuable options to tackle the challenges encountered by the rapidly expanding global ageing population. In this review, we highlight the latest scientific breakthroughs in the pathways by which inflammaging mediates the decline in periodontal function and triggers the onset of periodontitis. We also provide a comprehensive overview of the latest findings and discuss potential avenues for future research in this critical area of investigation.
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