Links between imbalanced mouth bacteria and mental health disorders

The oral microbiota may influence mental health disorders through mechanisms involving the gut-brain axis.

• Oral microbiota can enter the bloodstream and potentially trigger inflammatory responses.
• There is a possibility that oral bacteria can reach the brain via the trigeminal nerve or olfactory system.
• The concept of an oral microbiota-brain axis has emerged due to these findings.
• Existing literature on the communication between oral microbiota and brain function is limited.
• The review highlights connections between oral microbiota and neuropsychiatric diseases, including anxiety, depression, and dementia.
• Future research avenues are suggested to further explore these relationships.

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