What the research says about gums and the rest of the body

Most people think of gum disease as a “mouth problem”—sore gums, bad breath, maybe a wobbly tooth later on. But a 2025 review in the British Dental Journal pulled together decades of research and showed something much bigger: long-term gum inflammation is closely linked with conditions like heart disease, diabetes, respiratory illness, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis and even cognitive decline.

That doesn’t mean gum disease causes all of these conditions. But it does mean that inflamed gums can send bacteria and inflammatory signals into the bloodstream, adding extra pressure to organs that may already be under strain. The same review also found that treating gum disease with periodontal therapy (the deep cleaning and ongoing care used to control inflammation) can improve important health markers, especially in people with diabetes or cardiovascular risk.

This piece translates that research into everyday language, so you can see how your gums fit into your whole-body health, and why modern periodontal care is about far more than keeping your teeth in place.‍

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal (gum) disease is very common. It starts with gingivitis, where gums become inflamed but the bone around the teeth is still healthy. Without treatment, it can progress to periodontitis, where the inflammation becomes chronic and the bone supporting the teeth begins to break down.

What’s important (and what the BDJ review emphasised) is that gum disease isn’t just a local mouth issue. It can influence the rest of your body through:

• Bacterial leakage from the gums into the bloodstream
• Chronic inflammation, which stresses the immune system
• Immune overreaction, where the body becomes hypersensitive
• Shared risk factors like diabetes, smoking or low-grade systemic inflammation‍

‍Heart and blood vessel health

What the research shows

The connection between gum disease and cardiovascular disease is one of the most studied. Researchers have found:

• Gum bacteria can enter the bloodstream and have been detected in artery plaques.
• Gum inflammation raises systemic inflammatory markers like CRP, which is tied to heart disease.
• A “hyperresponsive” immune system (common in severe periodontitis) may worsen artery inflammation.

The BDJ review highlighted strong associations with:

• Atherosclerosis
• Coronary artery disease
• Stroke
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)‍

‍What periodontal therapy can help

Several clinical trials show that periodontal therapy can:

• Reduce inflammation markers (IL-6, CRP)
• Improve blood vessel function
• Lower blood pressure in some patients

The evidence for preventing heart disease long-term is still emerging, but the short-term improvements are consistent.‍

Diabetes and metabolic health

A two-way relationship

Diabetes makes gum disease worse—and gum disease makes diabetes harder to control. The review confirms:

• Gum bacteria and chronic inflammation interfere with blood sugar regulation.
• Both conditions share elevated inflammatory markers
• Oxidative stress and immune dysregulation affect both gum tissue and glucose metabolism.

Strong evidence shows periodontal treatment can reduce HbA1c by 0.3–0.4% within 3–4 months (based on Cochrane reviews and multiple RCTs).

For people with metabolic syndrome, reduced inflammation through gum treatment may also help stabilise systemic markers.‍

Respiratory health

What the review found

Poor gum health can increase the risk of respiratory infections, especially in vulnerable people. Why?

• Dental plaque can harbour bacteria linked with pneumonia.
• Gum inflammation releases enzymes that make it easier for harmful bacteria to attach to airway tissues.
• Poor oral hygiene in older adults, hospitalised patients or those with dry mouth increases risk.

Multiple systematic reviews show associations with:

• Pneumonia
• COPD flare-ups
• Respiratory infections in hospital environments

Professional cleaning and improved oral hygiene can reduce pneumonia risk in hospitals and aged-care settings by up to 40%.

Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions (like Rheumatoid Arthritis)

Research shows that gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis share:

• Similar inflammatory pathways
• Similar immune markers
• A link with a key bacteria, P. gingivalis, which contributes to the autoimmune process

Periodontal treatment may improve inflammatory markers in RA patients, though larger long-term studies are still needed.

Kidney health

Gum disease increases systemic inflammation — which can strain kidney function.

The review noted:

• Strong associations between periodontitis and chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• Higher mortality in CKD patients with severe gum disease
• Improvements in kidney markers after periodontal therapy in some studies

This link is especially important because people with CKD already carry a high inflammatory burden.

Pregnancy outcomes

Research shows maternal gum disease may increase the risk of:

• Preterm birth
• Low birth weight
• Growth restriction

The biological logic: inflammation in the gums may influence inflammation in the placenta.

Periodontal therapy is safe in pregnancy and improves gum health, though it has not yet been proven to prevent pregnancy complications. Oral hygiene is especially important because pregnancy hormones increase gum inflammation even without more plaque.

Brain and cognitive health

Emerging research suggests gum disease may be linked with:

• Increased amyloid plaque buildup (linked to Alzheimer’s)
• Faster cognitive decline
• Higher dementia risk in older adults

The proposed mechanisms:

• Chronic inflammation affecting brain tissues
• Oral bacteria reaching the brain through the bloodstream

This area is still developing, but the early findings are significant.

So where does periodontal therapy fit in?

The BDJ review consistently showed that reducing gum inflammation improves many systemic markers—even if it doesn’t “cure” systemic conditions.

Periodontal therapy includes:

• Deep cleaning beneath the gums to reduce bacterial load
• Disrupting plaque/biofilm at a microscopic level
• Ongoing maintenance to keep inflammation down long-term
  ‍

At Dental Holistix, we use advanced periodontal therapy such as Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT), which uses targeted staining, warm air and fine powders to remove harmful biofilm gently and precisely. GBT is an evidence-based approach that aligns closely with the research highlighted in the BDJ review.

‍

Periodontal disease is not just a “mouth problem.” It’s a chronic inflammatory condition that interacts with the rest of the body in significant ways. The science is clear: gum health is whole-body health.

And while researchers are still studying the long-term systemic effects, we already know that treating gum disease:

• Lowers inflammation
• Improves important clinical markers
• Supports chronic conditions
• Helps the body function with less inflammatory strain

Good periodontal care (whether through traditional methods or modern approaches like GBT) is a foundational part of integrated healthcare.