Chronic Periodontitis: A Silent Killer

Abstract

 Chronic periodontitis is much more than “bleeding gums” or a cause of tooth loss. It operates quietly, often undetected, yet contributes to a systemic inflammatory burden that may tip the scale toward major noncommunicable diseases. Its associations with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, adverse pregnancy outcomes, respiratory disorders, autoimmune disease, and increased mortality position it as a “silent killer”.