Neurogenic Inflammation and Its Role in Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease caused predominantly by bacteria. Its prevalence is high among adults, especially mild and moderate forms. Periodontal disease is considered the second most widespread oral disease after dental caries. Periodontal prevalence can be affected by age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Furthermore, factors such as smoking, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome contribute strongly to periodontal disease. Neurogenic inflammation is involved in a variety of systemic diseases, including periodontitis. However, the role of neuroinflammation in periodontal diseases is unclear. Thus, this review aims to discuss the mechanistic pathways and therapeutic implications of neurogenic inflammation in periodontal diseases. Multiple studies found an association between neuropeptides and the development of periodontal diseases, as they found increased levels of neuropeptides in tissues and plasma of diseased patients. Studies also found a link between periodontal diseases and neurodegenerative diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Understanding these interactions may provide new therapeutic targets and improve both oral and systemic health outcomes.