The association between periodontitis and hypothyroidism: A comprehensive review

This narrative review aimed to critically synthesize and evaluate the current evidence on the association between hypothyroidism and periodontitis, with a particular focus on elucidating the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed, encompassing animal, cellular, and clinical studies. The synthesized findings indicate that hypothyroidism exacerbates periodontitis through multiple interconnected pathways, including dysregulated bone metabolism, induction of systemic osteoporosis, amplification of immune-inflammatory responses, and disruption of oral microbiome homeostasis. Furthermore, evidence suggests a potential bidirectional relationship, wherein periodontal therapy may positively influence thyroid function parameters. A key takeaway from this review is the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between endocrinologists and dental professionals. Incorporating thyroid function evaluation into periodontal management may enhance treatment outcomes. This review concludes that although existing evidence supports a significant association, further high-quality longitudinal human studies are required to definitively establish causality and elucidate the precise underlying molecular mechanisms.