Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
08:40
Chronic Salmonella Infection Induced Intestinal Fibrosis
Published on: September 22, 2019
Periodontitis, Edentulism, and Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis
Mario Aimetti1,2, Giacomo Tonello1,2, Vivek Thumbigere-Math3
1Department of Surgical Sciences, C.I.R. Dental School, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Journal of Periodontal Research
|August 11, 2026
Summary
Periodontitis is linked to a higher risk of developing ulcerative colitis (UC), but the association with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) overall and Crohn's disease (CD) is less clear. Further research is needed to understand this oral-gut connection.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Periodontology
- Oral-Systemic Health Linkages
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), presents complex etiological challenges.
- Periodontitis, a common oral inflammatory condition, and edentulism (tooth loss) are potential contributing factors under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate the association between periodontitis and edentulism with the incidence and prevalence of IBD.
- To assess the relationship between periodontitis and IBD activity and severity.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive systematic literature search was performed across major databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science).
- Included studies were cohort and cross-sectional, with meta-analyses conducted for longitudinal and cross-sectional data.
- Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
Main Results:
- Longitudinal data showed a significant association between periodontitis and incident UC (RR 1.18), but not IBD overall or CD.
- Cross-sectional studies revealed significant associations between periodontitis and prevalent IBD, CD, and UC.
- Evidence for edentulism and periodontitis-IBD activity links was limited and inconsistent.
Conclusions:
- Periodontitis is modestly associated with incident UC, with weaker links to IBD and CD.
- Cross-sectional data consistently indicate a coexistence of periodontitis and IBD, suggesting shared pathways.
- Further longitudinal and mechanistic studies are required to elucidate the causal role of periodontitis in IBD.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Various diagnostic tests are employed in the diagnostic process for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
01:26Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic disorders marked by recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract due to an abnormal immune response against gut microflora. This leads to tissue damage. The two main forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s DiseaseCrohn’s disease is a relapsing inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. It involves all layers of the bowel wall (transmural) and shows “skip lesions” in which...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
01:27The Oral Microbiota
The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
01:25Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...