牙周炎是一种严重的牙龈感染，以牙龈炎开始，如果不及时治疗，可能会导致牙龈萎缩、骨质流失和牙齿脱落。它主要是由细菌感染引起的，细菌感染会引发炎症和牙周袋的形成。值得注意的是，牙周炎与全身健康问题有关，并与心脏病、糖尿病、呼吸系统疾病、不良妊娠结局和癌症有关。因此，患有牙周炎的个体中慢性炎症和免疫系统失调的存在显着促进各种癌症，特别是口腔癌的发生和进展。这些过程促进基因突变，损害 DNA 修复机制，并创造一个支持肿瘤的环境。此外，与牙周炎相关的细菌会产生有害的副产物和毒素，直接损害口腔细胞内的DNA，加剧癌症的发展。此外，慢性炎症不仅会刺激细胞增殖，还会抑制细胞凋亡、造成DNA损伤，并引发促炎细胞因子的释放。总的来说，这些因素在牙周炎患者的癌症进展中发挥着至关重要的作用。此外，特定的病毒和细菌因子，如乙型和丙型肝炎病毒、人乳头瘤病毒 (HPV)、幽门螺杆菌 (H. pylori) 和牙龈卟啉单胞菌，通过不同的机制促进癌症的发展。细菌感染对癌症的发展具有系统性影响，而病毒感染会引发免疫和炎症反应，从而导致基因突变。这篇综述将阐明牙周炎和癌症（特别是口腔癌）之间的联系，探索其潜在机制，为未来的研究和治疗进展提供见解。© 2024。作者获得 Springer Nature B.V. 的独家许可。

Periodontitis is a severe gum infection that begins as gingivitis and can lead to gum recession, bone loss, and tooth loss if left untreated. It is primarily caused by bacterial infection, which triggers inflammation and the formation of periodontal pockets. Notably, periodontitis is associated with systemic health issues and has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and cancers. Accordingly, the presence of chronic inflammation and immune system dysregulation in individuals with periodontitis significantly contributes to the initiation and progression of various cancers, particularly oral cancers. These processes promote genetic mutations, impair DNA repair mechanisms, and create a tumor-supportive environment. Moreover, the bacteria associated with periodontitis produce harmful byproducts and toxins that directly damage the DNA within oral cells, exacerbating cancer development. In addition, chronic inflammation not only stimulates cell proliferation but also inhibits apoptosis, causes DNA damage, and triggers the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Collectively, these factors play a crucial role in the progression of cancer in individuals affected by periodontitis. Further, specific viral and bacterial agents, such as hepatitis B and C viruses, human papillomavirus (HPV), Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), and Porphyromonas gingivalis, contribute to cancer development through distinct mechanisms. Bacterial infections have systemic implications for cancer development, while viral infections provoke immune and inflammatory responses that can lead to genetic mutations. This review will elucidate the link between periodontitis and cancers, particularly oral cancers, exploring their underlying mechanisms to provide insights for future research and treatment advancements.© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.