Why Men Face a Higher Risk of Periodontal Diseases
New evidence shows that men produce significantly higher levels of IL-1β, an inflammatory protein that accelerates periodontal breakdown, providing a biological explanation for the long-observed sex gap in disease severity. The discovery paves the way for sex-specific periodontal therapies that directly target the inflammasome pathway.
Men have long been known to experience more frequent and severe periodontitis than women, a difference typically attributed to behavioral factors such as inconsistent oral hygiene or fewer dental visits. However, new research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill identifies a biological mechanism that places men at an inherently greater risk: heightened activation of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), a powerful inflammatory mediator.
IL-1β is a key component of the inflammasome pathway and plays a central role in propagating inflammation-driven tissue destruction. By analyzing more than 6,200 human samples, researchers found that men consistently showed elevated IL-1β levels in gingival crevicular fluid. This amplified inflammatory response increases vulnerability to rapid bone and soft-tissue breakdown once periodontal pathogens initiate infection.
Mouse models confirmed the human findings. Male animals produced significantly more IL-1β than female counterparts and experienced greater periodontal destruction. When researchers disrupted inflammasome signaling, mice showed markedly reduced bone loss. Notably, the protective effect disappeared when the testes were removed, underscoring hormonal involvement in this sex-specific immune behavior. Female mice, even after ovary removal, did not exhibit comparable changes, suggesting that female-driven periodontal disease mechanisms may differ.
These findings expand the understanding of periodontal pathophysiology and point toward future sex-stratified treatments. Targeting IL-1β or upstream inflammasome activity could be especially beneficial for men who are biologically predisposed to more aggressive disease progression. Meanwhile, the research highlights the need to explore alternative inflammatory pathways that may dominate in women. Click here to read more.
