The Key Role of Porphyromonas gingivalis in the Pathogenesis of Periodontitis Linked with Systemic Diseases

: New technologies and tools are emerging in periodontology and oral health.\r\nPeriodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that destroys the supporting tissues of the\r\nteeth and ultimately leads to tooth loss. As one of the most prevalent oral conditions, periodontitis endangers the oral health of 70% of people worldwide, and has been increasingly\r\nlinked to various systemic diseases. In this regard, Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis)\r\nis a key pathogen in the oral microbiome and a Gram-negative oral anaerobic bacterium\r\nthat plays a key role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. Porphyromonas gingivalis can\r\nexpress various virulence factors to evade innate and adaptive immunities, which causes\r\nP. gingivalis to survive and propagate in the host, destroy periodontal tissues, and contribute\r\nto systemic diseases. This narrative review aims to summarize the current knowledge\r\non the impact of P. gingivalis in oral microbiome formation and its mechanistic links to\r\nsystemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis,\r\nand Alzheimer’s disease. This review will explore the pathogenic mechanisms employed\r\nby P. gingivalis, including immune evasion, dissemination, and molecular mimicry, and evaluate the clinical and epidemiological evidence linking periodontitis with systemic health\r\noutcomes. By consolidating these insights, this review seeks to highlight the importance\r\nof periodontal health in preventing systemic diseases and propose potential therapeutic\r\ninterventions targeting P. gingivalis. These findings highlight that early diagnosis and\r\neffective treatment of periodontitis, particularly targeting P. gingivalis, are essential not only\r\nto preserving oral health but also to reducing the risk and progression of systemic diseases.