Does a Dysbiotic Oral Microbiome Trigger the Risk of Chronic Inflammatory Disease?

Purpose of Review This paper studies the different mechanisms that link oral dysbiosis and various inflammatory diseases. Recent Findings Oral bacteria have been found in atherosclerotic plaques. Experiments in mouse models have shown that after inoculation with Porphyromonas gingivalis , there is a higher brain barrier permeability. Fusobacterium nucleatum is present in higher amounts in patients with colorectal cancer than in healthy subjects. Porphyromonas gingivalis , along with other oral bacteria, has a strong capacity for peptide citrullination, which increases the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Summary Different epidemiological and experimental studies have indicated a positive correlation between a dysbiotic oral microbiome and a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, colorectal cancer, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, experimental studies of patients with inflammatory diseases have demonstrated that after periodontal treatment, their inflammatory conditions improved. These findings show that there is a strong link between the oral microbiome and the development of inflammatory diseases but that periodontal interventions could be beneficial in the treatment and management of the progression of these diseases.