Periodontal Disease and Chronic Kidney Disease: the Impact of Oral Health on Inflammation and Nutrition in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Purpose of Review: Many clinical studies have reported an association between periodontal disease and chronic kidney disease (CKD). This review aims to update the underlying mechanism and the findings of clinical studies. Recent Findings: Basic research supports that inflammation might mediate the association between CKD and periodontal disease. Clinical evidence suggests that periodontal treatment improves renal function. Poor oral health has also been reported as a predictor of mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Summary: Although clinical data have demonstrated a significant association between inflammation in the periodontal tissue and CKD, well-designed studies are needed for a consensus to be widely adopted. Malnutrition and systemic chronic inflammation are often interrelated in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Periodontal disease may contribute to chronic inflammation, and it is possible that a low number of teeth may be involved in impaired nutritional intake in patients undergoing hemodialysis. A novel perspective on malnutrition might be needed to manage oral health in patients with CKD, especially those undergoing dialysis, in addition to conventional factors such as bacterial infection and inflammation. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.