Dementia represents a growing global health challenge, characterized by progressive cognitive decline and neurodegeneration. Increasing evidence highlights the role of chronic inflammation as a key driver of disease progression. Oral health, particularly periodontal inflammation, has emerged as a significant contributor to systemic inflammatory burden. Saliva, an easily accessible biological fluid, contains a wide range of inflammatory mediators, including cytokines and adipokines, which may reflect both local and systemic pathological processes. The present study explores the role of oral inflammation and salivary biomarkers in dementia, focusing on the contribution of pro-inflammatory cytokines and adipokines in neurodegenerative mechanisms. The interplay between oral health, systemic inflammation, and neurodegeneration suggests that salivary biomarkers may serve as valuable tools for early diagnosis, monitoring, and potential therapeutic intervention in dementia.
Keywords: Oral inflammation, salivary biomarkers, cytokines, adipokine, dementia.