Periodontitis and Fatty Liver Disease: What Is the Link?

A study published in Scientific Reports investigated the relationship between periodontitis and fatty liver disease. The findings show that signs of periodontal disease, including a periodontal pocket depth greater than 6 mm and gingival bleeding, are associated with fatty liver disease and a greater degree of liver fibrosis.

Fatty liver disease is linked to hypertension, diabetes, and lipid metabolism disorders.

Obesity is one of the factors that frequently contributes to its development.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of bacterial origin, characterized by inflammation of the periodontal tissue and alveolar bone loss. This condition has been shown to be associated with systemic diseases such as diabetes, dementia, and certain malignant tumors. Therefore, preventing periodontitis and maintaining proper oral hygiene contribute to preserving overall health. Recent studies have also established a link between periodontitis and fatty liver disease.

A study published in Scientific Reports (Hiroshimaya et al.) investigated the possible link between periodontitis and fatty liver disease.

The study included 2,453 participants, who were evaluated by five dentists. During the analysis, tooth loss, gingival bleeding, and periodontal sulcus depth (with a normal range of 1–3 mm) were assessed. Various liver disease indices were also determined, including the degree of fibrosis and fat in the liver.

It was confirmed that a distance between the bone and the gum greater than 6 mm is significantly associated with fatty liver. Furthermore, the presence of dental bleeding during oral examination is significantly related to the degree of hepatic fibrosis.

In summary, this study demonstrates the relationship between periodontitis and fatty liver. Therefore, maintaining good oral hygiene can help prevent the onset of this liver disease.