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In the beginning of the 19th century, a London medical doctor and pathologist, W. Hunter, noticed that many patients had «pyorrhea», abcesses and multiple oral infections associated with removable prostheses placed upon gums with remaining tooth radices. Diseases such as enteric ailments, anaemia, fever, blood poisoning, renal diseases, rheumatism, and later on psychiatric diseases were suggested being the result of dissemination of oral bacteria from these foci, causing infections at distant places. Experimental research in the US apparently confirmed the concept of focal infection, stirring considerable upheaval, particularly in the dental community. The adherents advised against endodontic treatment, recommending tooth extraction as the best alternative for many diseases, even schizophrenia. After World War II the focal infection theory faded, but reappeared in the 1980’s, now focusing other medical conditions. At present, there is a vast amount of information associating periodontal disease to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and low birth weight. The disease induction is no longer based on direct dissemination of bacteria, but on the impact of inflammatory mediators on processes such as atherosclerosis, placental function, and on cellular glucose metabolism. However, authoritative research scientists advise against regarding the correlation of periodontitis and these diseases as a proven cause/effect relationship. The modernised focal infection theory is currently the subject of research activities along many avenues.

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