Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease affecting the tooth-supporting tissues, including the gingiva and alveolar bone. As a chronic inflammatory condition, periodontitis may affect overall health through low-grade systemic inflammation. The development and progression of periodontitis are influenced by several factors, one of the best known being diabetes. A bidirectional relationship has been established between elevated blood glucose levels and periodontitis.
My research focuses on the association between periodontitis and metabolic factors such as obesity, insulin resistance, hyperglycaemia, and gestational diabetes. My aim is to improve our understanding of the links between oral and general health and to identify factors that contribute to the development and progression of periodontitis.
I received my PhD from the University of Oulu in 2023 and qualified as a specialist in periodontology in 2024. I currently work as a Clinical Researcher funded by the Research Council of Finland and as a university lecturer at the University of Oulu. In addition to research and teaching, I also work as a clinician in the field of periodontology.