Relationship between the gut and oral microbiomes: potential impact of dysbiotic oral microbiome in periodontitis

Bulgarian Medical Journal, 2023, 17(4), 22-28.

Boyanov, B. Tsafarova, Y. Hodzhev, S. Panaiotov

Department of Microbiology, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases – Sofia

Abstract. Periodontitis (periodontal disease) is a destructive, chronic infectious disease of the periodontal apparatus that can lead to pain, loosening and loss of teeth. Periodontitis affects about 30% of adults over the age of 30. The disease is irreversible. It can be controlled with early diagnosis enabling effective prevention. Dysbiosis in the subgingival microbial plaque is a reason for the development of periodontitis. The disease is a risk factor for systemic diseases and its difficult treatment necessitates the study of potential therapies that have a preventive and curative effect. The rapidly growing field of microbiome analysis examines the relationships between abnormalities in the balance of the human (gut, oral, lung, etc.) microbiome and systemic health. Gastrointestinal and dental dysbioses are associated with systemic diseases. These include metabolic syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, atherosclerosis, and even Alzheimer’s disease. The specific mechanisms for some of the diseases are not sufficiently well understood, but microbiome dysbiosis as a cause of immune dysregulation has its place in the general picture. The article presents an overview of the described mechanisms for the development of periodontitis, the relationship of periodontitis with other diseases, the relationship of the oral and intestinal microbiome, and the potential use of a combination of medicinal plants and resistant starch for prevention.

Key words: oral microbiome, periodontitis, gut microbiome, systemic diseases, short-chain fatty acids, hops, green tea, resistant starch

Address for correspondence: Ivan Boyanov, e-mail: boyanovivan89@gmail.com