{"id":28832,"date":"2026-03-27T12:00:31","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T17:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/?p=28832"},"modified":"2026-02-19T09:15:59","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T15:15:59","slug":"the-link-between-ra-and-periodontal-disease-bidirectional-cycle-shared-inflammation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/2026\/03\/27\/the-link-between-ra-and-periodontal-disease-bidirectional-cycle-shared-inflammation\/","title":{"rendered":"The Link Between RA and Periodontal Disease: Bidirectional Cycle\/Shared Inflammation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sammamishsmilesdentistry.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-28178\" src=\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SammamishSmiles-1024x261.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"613\" height=\"156\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SammamishSmiles-1024x261.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SammamishSmiles-300x76.png 300w, https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SammamishSmiles-768x196.png 768w, https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SammamishSmiles-1536x391.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SammamishSmiles.png 1963w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 613px) 100vw, 613px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><strong>The Challenge:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A 29 year old female patient came in extremely concerned with her bleeding gums and wondering if that is also related to her diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>The Background:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Age:<\/strong> 29<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Sex:<\/strong> Female<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Medical History:<\/strong> Elevated Rheumatoid factor and undergoing further diagnosis to conclude diagnosis for RA\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Last Dental Exam:<\/strong> 2021<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Home Care:<\/strong> Manual toothbrush 2x daily, floss occasionally<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Chief Complaint:<\/strong> bleeding gums, sensitive gums<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Clinical Assessment:<\/strong> Severe gingival inflammation, moderate plaque with heavy calculus sub\/supragingival. Moderate to severe bone loss is evident on radiographs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Periodontal Assessment:<\/strong> 2-6mm pocketing, generalized bone loss around 20 percent<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>The Solution:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Date of Alert 2\u00ae<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> (Pre-Therapy) test:<\/strong> 9\/23\/24<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-28836 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Park_Case-Study_MPP1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"340\" height=\"207\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Park_Case-Study_MPP1.png 327w, https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Park_Case-Study_MPP1-300x183.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 340px) 100vw, 340px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-28835 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Park_Case-Study_IL6.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"349\" height=\"72\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>09\/23\/2024:<\/strong> Right side upper &amp; lower scaling and root planing performed, with left side receiving irrigation and bacterial decontamination utilizing a soft tissue diode laser. Full-mouth scaling and root planing was completed using a combination of hand instrumentation, ultrasonic therapy, bacterial decontamination, and subgingival irrigation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>12\/03\/2024:<\/strong> Periodontist consult<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>03\/07\/2025:<\/strong> Patient presents for periodontal maintenance, exam, and radiographs, and follow-up MyPerioPath\u00ae (Post gum therapy and periodontal consult)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-28834 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Park_Case-Study_MPP2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"530\" height=\"179\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Park_Case-Study_MPP2.png 604w, https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Park_Case-Study_MPP2-300x101.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 530px) 100vw, 530px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Additional Comments:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The patient changed her diet and lifestyle, moderated her intake of sugary and carbonated foods\/drinks, and began working with functional medicine to support lowering systemic inflammation. In consultation with her physician, she added vitamin D and folic acid to address deficiencies and support immune function\u2014especially important given that low vitamin D levels are associated with increased inflammation. She also remained consistent with 3-month periodontal maintenance visits.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>The Result:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At 6 months after completion of the initial scaling &amp; root planing appointment the patient showed significant improvement in pocket depths, tissue appearance, and sensitivity. The patient also saw a significant reduction in her Rheumatoid factor and she attributes it to her healthier gums in addition to her lifestyle changes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MyPerioProgress also showed a dramatic reduction in the bacterial load. We will continue to encourage consistent hygiene appointments, improved home care, and bacterial monitoring to help ensure long term remission of the periodontal disease.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Periodontitis, or severe gum disease, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are strongly linked through shared inflammatory processes and genetic factors, with periodontitis potentially acting as a trigger for RA by promoting immune dysregulation via bacterial activity. This mechanism may lead to the development of autoantibodies, such as <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8791387\/#:~:text=Anti%2Dcitrullinated%20protein%20antibodies%20(ACPAs)%20are%20autoantibodies%20against%20citrullinated,diagnosis%20of%20RA%20(1).\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs)<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which are characteristic of RA. In turn, active RA can worsen periodontitis, creating a cyclical relationship where inflammation fuels both conditions.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/get-started\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-28177 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/OralDNA_Banners-2-1024x293.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"215\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/OralDNA_Banners-2-1024x293.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/OralDNA_Banners-2-300x86.png 300w, https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/OralDNA_Banners-2-768x219.png 768w, https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/OralDNA_Banners-2-1536x439.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/OralDNA_Banners-2-2048x585.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Challenge: A 29 year old female patient came in extremely concerned with her bleeding gums and wondering if that is also related to her diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. The Background: Age: 29 Sex: Female Medical History: Elevated Rheumatoid factor and undergoing further diagnosis to conclude diagnosis for RA\u00a0 Last Dental Exam: 2021 Home Care: <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/2026\/03\/27\/the-link-between-ra-and-periodontal-disease-bidirectional-cycle-shared-inflammation\/\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":220,"featured_media":28211,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[60,110],"tags":[9,61,159,125,17,76,247,32,33],"class_list":["post-28832","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-case-study","category-salivary-diagnostics","tag-bacterial-testing","tag-case-study","tag-genetic-testing","tag-individualized-patient-care","tag-oral-systemic-connection","tag-periodontal-disease","tag-personalized-care","tag-rheumatoid-arthritis","tag-rheumatoid-arthritis-treatment"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Sammamish_Featured-Image.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":false,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7W16z-7v2","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28832"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/220"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28832"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28832\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28838,"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28832\/revisions\/28838"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28211"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28832"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28832"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28832"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}