All articles tagged with #oral microbiome
Researchers found that interrupting quorum sensing in dental plaque using lactonases can shift the mouth’s microbial balance toward health-associated bacteria and reduce disease-linked microbes, with effects that depend on oxygen levels above and below the gums; this approach aims to preserve a healthy microbiome rather than kill all bacteria and could inform broader dysbiosis-related therapies.
Social media claims that mouthwash drastically raises blood pressure are not supported. Research shows that strong mouthwashes (eg, chlorhexidine) can disrupt oral bacteria and impede nitrate-to-nitrite conversion, potentially raising systolic blood pressure in some short-term trials. However, milder, everyday mouthwashes generally have little effect on this pathway or on heart health, and a long-term study found no link between regular mouthwash use and cardiovascular death. The takeaway is to choose a milder mouthwash, use it as directed, and maintain good oral hygiene, since untreated oral disease is linked to cardiovascular risk.
Research suggests the link between mouthwash and blood pressure depends on the product. Strong antiseptics like chlorhexidine can disrupt oral bacteria that convert nitrate to nitrite, potentially raising blood pressure in some short-term studies, while milder, everyday mouthwashes have less impact. Alcohol-containing formulations complicate interpretation, and currently there’s no consistent evidence that regular mouthwash use increases heart disease risk. For overall health, maintain good oral hygiene and choose mouthwash based on need and ingredients, using the strongest types only for specific conditions.
Cohabiting couples share a sizable portion of their microbiomes, with about 30% of gut bacteria and notable overlaps in oral and skin microbes, driven by shared environments and daily habits. Greater microbial diversity from living together can be linked to lower risks of IBS, cardiovascular disease and high blood sugar, but the health impact depends on which bacteria are shared; some bacteria can be beneficial, others harmful. Saliva exchange during kissing further spreads oral bacteria, and while overall effects are still being studied, the shared microbiome is a real and ongoing area of research.
A Johns Hopkins study shows Fusobacterium nucleatum, a mouth bacterium linked to gum disease, can travel to breast tissue via the bloodstream, causing inflammation, DNA damage, and cell changes that accelerate tumor growth and spread in mouse models, with BRCA1-mutant breast cells especially vulnerable; findings suggest oral microbes may influence breast cancer risk and progression.
Researchers report a vibration-activated ceramic powder (BSCT) that uses electric-toothbrush motion to trigger whitening reactions at the tooth surface, delivering noticeable whitening after hours, while also rebuilding damaged enamel and shifting the oral microbiome toward a healthier balance in rat studies—potentially enabling at-home whitening with enamel protection.
A Danish study from Aarhus University suggests that increasing arginine levels in saliva can shift mouth biofilms from acid-producing to protective, reducing tooth decay risk. In a real-world denture-biofilm setup, arginine treatment raised pH after sugar exposure, altered the bacterial and sugar composition, and reduced acid-producing Streptococcus populations, though responses varied among individuals. Arginine appears safe and could be explored as an additive in toothpaste or mouthwash, warranting further clinical research.
A study suggests that drinking beet juice twice daily can lower blood pressure in older adults within two weeks, likely due to nitrates in beets that convert to nitric oxide, relaxing blood vessels. However, more research is needed, and beet juice should be part of a comprehensive heart-healthy lifestyle.
A study suggests that drinking beet juice twice daily may help lower blood pressure in older adults by altering oral bacteria that convert nitrates into nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels. Experts recommend considering beet juice as part of a heart-healthy lifestyle, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness and identify who may benefit most.
Scientists discovered that people with multiple sclerosis have an imbalanced oral microbiome characterized by a loss of beneficial bacteria and lower levels of the protective metabolite hypotaurine, suggesting that oral bacteria may influence immune dysregulation in MS. These findings could lead to saliva-based diagnostic tools and new treatments aimed at restoring healthy oral bacteria to support neurological health.
Scientists have discovered large, mysterious DNA segments called 'inocles' in the human mouth's microbiome, which may influence the immune system and could serve as biomarkers for diseases like cancer. These giant extrachromosomal elements were identified using advanced long-read DNA sequencing, revealing new insights into the complex relationship between oral bacteria and human health.
A study finds that certain bacteria and fungi in the mouth can increase the risk of pancreatic cancer by more than three times, highlighting the importance of good oral hygiene and potential for microbiome profiling in cancer prevention.
Research suggests that specific microbes in the mouth are linked to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, highlighting the importance of good oral hygiene not just for teeth but potentially for cancer prevention. Certain bacteria and fungi in the mouth may access the pancreas via saliva, and their presence could serve as early indicators for cancer risk, aiding in earlier detection and intervention.
A study links the presence of 27 types of bacteria and fungi in the mouth to a more than threefold increased risk of pancreatic cancer, highlighting the potential importance of oral health in cancer prevention, although causality has not been established.
Researchers in Japan have discovered large extrachromosomal DNA elements called Inocles in the human mouth, present in about 74% of people, which may influence oral health, immunity, and disease risk. These structures help bacteria adapt to the oral environment and could serve as markers for serious diseases like cancer.