Polluted Skies, Imperilled Smiles: The Emerging Link Between Air Quality and Dental Diseases- A Narrative Review.

Abstract

Air pollution, which includes particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), heavy metals, and gaseous pollutants, negatively impacts oral and dental health via mechanisms such as oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, microbiome dysbiosis, alterations in saliva, and direct tissue damage.  Exposure elevates the risks of dental caries by enamel erosion and pH disruption, periodontal disorders (gingivitis and periodontitis) via cytokine upregulation and bone loss, oral mucosal lesions like leukoplakia, pulp/periapical infections, and even oral malignancies.  Genetic causality studies validate positive correlations, especially with PM2.5 and NO2, emphasizing dose-dependent effects intensified in urban or high-exposure demographics.  These findings highlight the necessity for cohesive environmental and oral health strategies to alleviate increasing worldwide burdens.

Keywords: Air pollution; Particulate matter; Oral health; Dental caries; Periodontal disease; Oxidative stress; Microbiome dysbiosis; Enamel erosion.