The Early Connection: Oral–Systemic Interactions in Young Populations

Oral and periodontal research has long investigated the intricate links between oral health and systemic conditions, predominantly focusing on adults. Despite the recognition of more than 50 associations between periodontal disease and systemic diseases, there is a paucity of research targeting children, adolescents, and youth. Most available evidence centers on adults or newborns, leaving a significant knowledge gap regarding how oral and periodontal diseases interact with systemic health during formative years. Historical classifications and evolving definitions of periodontitis have underscored the complexity of its manifestation in younger populations, yet systemic mechanisms often overshadow investigations into everyday oral and periodontal needs. Recent studies hint that oral inflammation, microbial shifts, and undetected periodontal conditions may present unique risks among youth, but research is sparse, particularly regarding early metabolic dysfunction, behavioral influences, and social determinants. Additionally, issues such as passive smoking, nutrition, obesity, disability, and developmental differences receive insufficient epidemiologic attention, despite their profound impact on health trajectories. Practical approaches for routine early-life screening and interventions are emerging, but considerable gaps persist, notably in linking early oral and periodontal statuses to the later-life burden of chronic systemic diseases. The diversity of regions, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds further complicates efforts to create universal preventive models, emphasizing the urgent need for more inclusive, youth-centered evidence.This Research Topic aims to advance understanding of how oral and periodontal diseases relate to systemic conditions before adulthood. By collecting multidisciplinary and international perspectives, the goal is to map bidirectional relationships, clarify underlying mechanisms, identify early biomarkers, and highlight the impact of health behaviors and environmental factors among children, adolescents, and youth. Specific questions include: What systemic diseases are most closely associated with early oral and periodontal changes? How do metabolic and immune pathways intersect with oral health in youth? And which interventions might be most effective at reducing later disease burdens? Through rigorous epidemiologic, mechanistic, and interventional studies, this initiative seeks to inform preventive strategies and encourage early detection, with an eye toward minimizing health disparities and optimizing lifelong well-being.The scope of this Research Topic is limited to populations prior to adulthood—specifically, children, adolescents, and youth—and emphasizes the interplay between oral/periodontal health and systemic conditions. It excludes adult-only populations and studies without direct oral–systemic relevance in early life. We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Bidirectional pathways linking oral/periodontal inflammation with systemic conditions (e.g., cardiovascular risk, metabolic dysfunction, autoimmune disorders).• Mechanistic insights into how early oral inflammation contributes to metabolic, immune, or endothelial dysfunction.• The role of the oral microbiome and systemic interactions (e.g., oral–gut and oral–respiratory axes) in pediatric health and disease.• Exosomes, inflammatory mediators (e.g., cytokines), and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in early oral–systemic crosstalk.• Genetic and epigenetic susceptibility factors predisposing youth to both periodontal and systemic conditions.• Associations between adolescent oral health and systemic diseases (e.g., type 1 diabetes, obesity, autoimmune or genetic disorders).• Periodontal status as a marker or modulator of systemic disease activity and progression in youth.• Oral manifestations and periodontal inflammatory burden in pediatric rheumatologic conditions (e.g., juvenile idiopathic arthritis, lupus).• Links between periodontal inflammation and adolescent mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety), including inflammatory and stress pathways.• Hormonal influences during adolescence on periodontal susceptibility and systemic health.• Maternal periodontal disease and oral microbiome influences on fetal programming and infant systemic outcomes.• Oral–systemic interactions in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorder) or intellectual disabilities.• Environmental, behavioral, and social determinants shaping pediatric oral–systemic health (e.g., nutrition, vitamin deficiencies, secondhand smoke exposure, socioeconomic status).• Social, cultural, developmental, and disability-related influences on oral hygiene practices and access to periodontal care.• Development and evaluation of clinical practices, screening models, and prevention programs integrated into pediatric healthcare settings.• Public health interventions aimed at reducing early-life oral and systemic inflammatory burden.• Digital health tools, tele-dentistry, and AI applications for risk assessment, monitoring, and personalized prevention in youth.• Economic and health policy research evaluating cost-effectiveness of early periodontal interventions for systemic disease prevention.• Associations between sleep disorders (e.g., sleep-disordered breathing, circadian disruption) and oral inflammation and metabolic health.• Effects of environmental toxins (e.g., air pollution, endocrine disruptors) on pediatric oral and systemic inflammation.• Nutritional psychiatry and the diet–oral–gut–brain axis in youth.Update: Extended Submission Deadline To give our contributors sufficient time to prepare high-quality submissions, the submission deadline for this Research Topic has been extended by one year. Please note that this Research Topic will potentially close after the first 9 articles are accepted. All articles submitted after this threshold can still be considered for inclusion by the Topic Editors. Topic editors: Oelisoa Mireille Andriankaja, Siddharthan Selvaraj, Marcelo Mattos Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/76530/the-early-connection-oral-systemic-interactions-in-young-populations