Chronic kidney disease is a loss of kidney function, with the end therapy being dialysis or a transplant. Systemic inflammation, increasing age, smoking, hypertension and uncontrolled diabetes are some of the risk factors for chronic kidney diseases.

Some evidence suggests a possible association between periodontitis and chronic kidney disease but evidence for a bidirectional link is weak. The mechanisms connecting these two diseases are not fully known, but it is suggested the chronic low-grade systemic inflammation from periodontitis and/or the oral bacteria triggers an inflammatory response and progression of the kidney disease.

Periodontal treatment and good oral hygiene are a benefit for all patients since it reduces the preventable burden of the systemic inflammation associated with periodontal disease.

Kapellas et al. 2019, Chambrone et al. 2013