  Periodontitis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are chronic inflammatory
conditions, characterized by microbial dysbiosis and hyper-immunoinflammatory
responses. Growing evidence suggest an interconnection between periodontitis
and IBD, implying a shift from the traditional concept of independent diseases
to a complex, reciprocal cycle. This review outlines the evidence supporting an
Oral-Gut axis, marked by a higher prevalence of periodontitis in IBD patients
and vice versa. The specific mechanisms linking periodontitis and IBD remain to
be fully elucidated, but emerging evidence points to the ectopic colonization
of the gut by oral bacteria, which promote intestinal inflammation by
activating host immune responses. This review presents an in-depth examination
of the interconnection between periodontitis and IBD, highlighting the shared
microbiological and immunological pathways, and proposing a multi-hit
hypothesis in the pathogenesis of periodontitis-mediated intestinal
inflammation. Furthermore, the review underscores the critical need for a
collaborative approach between dentists and gastroenterologists to provide
holistic oral-systemic healthcare.
