Mij
Senior Member (Voting Rights)
February 12, 2026
Association between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis is long established, but which comes first has long been debated by scientists.
Researchers have uncovered compelling evidence of a two-way relationship between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis (gum disease), showing that treating gum disease can significantly reduce inflammation and improve RA symptoms for patients.
The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, examined how microbial imbalances in the mouth – known as dysbiosis – contribute to systemic inflammation in RA patients.
Association between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis is long established, but which comes first has long been debated by scientists.
Researchers have uncovered compelling evidence of a two-way relationship between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis (gum disease), showing that treating gum disease can significantly reduce inflammation and improve RA symptoms for patients.
The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, examined how microbial imbalances in the mouth – known as dysbiosis – contribute to systemic inflammation in RA patients.
Key Findings
- RA patients exhibited distinct oral microbiomes, even before gum disease developed. These microbial communities were richer and more diverse than those in healthy individuals and formed dense interaction networks.
- Certain bacteria, such as Cryptobacterium curtum and Prevotella species, were strongly associated with RA and correlated with pro-inflammatory cytokines.
- RA patients had higher levels of antibodies against oral pathogens, particularly Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacterium linked to protein citrullination – a process implicated in RA autoimmunity.
- Severity of gum disease strongly correlated with RA activity scores, including joint swelling and pain.