Infertility and Periodontitis: Are We Connecting the Right Dots?

Infertility is an increasing global health concern. Growing evidence suggests that systemic inflammatory conditions, including periodontal disease, may contribute to impaired reproductive outcomes. This narrative review highlights recent conceptual advances linking periodontal disease with male and female infertility, focusing on biological mechanisms (i.e., microbial translocation, chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, oxidative stress, and epigenetic modifications). The review critically examines available studies focusing on scientific quality, design, and clinical relevance. In females, periodontal disease has been associated with idiopathic infertility and polycystic ovary syndrome. These conditions are characterized by immune dysregulation and low-grade systemic inflammation. In males, impaired semen parameters and idiopathic infertility have been linked to poor periodontal status. Despite growing interest, existing studies are largely associative and limited by methodological heterogeneity, insufficient control for confounders, and a lack of standardized outcome measures. This review proposes a framework for improved future research strategies addressing these shortcomings to clarify causality and therapeutic potential.