Dentistry journal

The Mouth-Gut-Brain Link: How Gum Disease May Lead to Brain Inflammation, Related Saliva and Gut Markers, and Possible Treatments

Updated

Abstract

Periodontitis affects approximately 7-11% of the global adult population in its severe forms.

  • Periodontal dysbiosis may disrupt intestinal balance and contribute to inflammation in the brain.
  • Specific periodontal pathogens have been found in the gut and are linked to changes in gut bacteria and increased blood-brain barrier permeability.
  • Salivary and intestinal biomarkers could reflect overall systemic inflammation and serve as potential non-invasive screening tools.
  • The oral-gut-brain axis may help explain the relationship between periodontal disease and other health issues, although current findings are mainly associative.
  • Further validation in human studies is necessary to establish mechanistic links and explore pharmacological interventions targeting this pathway.

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Funding

Competing interests

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
PubMed

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