Tag

Oral Microbiome

All articles tagged with #oral microbiome

Kissing Couples Exchange Mouth Bacteria, Shaping Gut Microbiomes
science25 days ago

Kissing Couples Exchange Mouth Bacteria, Shaping Gut Microbiomes

A Cell Press Blue study finds romantic partners share mouth bacteria far more than gut bacteria, likely due to kissing, and shows mouth bacteria can seed the gut. Analyzing 1,644 saliva–stool samples from 808 people in 207 households, researchers describe a two-step transmission: bacteria spread between cohabitants, then move from mouth to gut, with some gut strains linked to poorer cardiometabolic health, though causality isn’t established; results are correlational and limited by sequencing data.

Your Co-habitants May Tune Your Gut Microbiome More Than Your Diet
health28 days ago

Your Co-habitants May Tune Your Gut Microbiome More Than Your Diet

A study shows people who live together share about 26% of their oral microbes, with romantic partners sharing 44%, implying that household cohabitation shapes both oral and gut microbiomes beyond diet. The oral–gut microbiome axis means microbes can transfer via saliva and shared environments, potentially influencing health and the effectiveness of treatments like fecal microbiota transplantation, and microbial exchange can extend to broader communities albeit more weakly.

Beetroot Juice Linked to Lower Blood Pressure in Seniors
health1 month ago

Beetroot Juice Linked to Lower Blood Pressure in Seniors

A University of Exeter study found older adults who drank nitrate-rich beetroot juice for two weeks experienced a drop in blood pressure, an effect not observed in younger participants, possibly due to age-related declines in nitric oxide production and changes in mouth bacteria that process nitrates. The findings suggest dietary nitrates from vegetables could support cardiovascular health but are not a substitute for medication, and larger trials are needed; other nitrate-rich foods like spinach and kale may offer similar benefits.

Blocking Bacterial Signals May Rebalance Mouth Microbes to Fight Gum Disease
science2 months ago

Blocking Bacterial Signals May Rebalance Mouth Microbes to Fight Gum Disease

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.

Mouthwash, Nitric Oxide, and Blood Pressure: A Nuanced Look at the Science
science2 months ago

Mouthwash, Nitric Oxide, and Blood Pressure: A Nuanced Look at the Science

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.

Mouthwash and heart health: what the science really shows
health2 months ago

Mouthwash and heart health: what the science really shows

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.

Living Together, Sharing Microbes: How Partners’ Bacteria May Shape Health
health3 months ago

Living Together, Sharing Microbes: How Partners’ Bacteria May Shape Health

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.

Oral Bacteria May Accelerate Breast Cancer by Reaching Breast Tissue
health5 months ago

Oral Bacteria May Accelerate Breast Cancer by Reaching Breast Tissue

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.

Toothbrush-Triggered Ceramic Powder Brightens Teeth and Rebuilds Enamel
technology5 months ago

Toothbrush-Triggered Ceramic Powder Brightens Teeth and Rebuilds Enamel

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.

Arginine in Saliva May Turn Mouth Biofilms from Detrimental to Protective
science6 months ago

Arginine in Saliva May Turn Mouth Biofilms from Detrimental to Protective

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.

Scientists Discover Juice That Reduces Blood Pressure in 2 Weeks
health6 months ago

Scientists Discover Juice That Reduces Blood Pressure in 2 Weeks

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.

Distinct Oral Microbiome Linked to Multiple Sclerosis
health8 months ago

Distinct Oral Microbiome Linked to Multiple Sclerosis

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.

Hidden 'Inocles' DNA in Your Mouth Revealed
science9 months ago

Hidden 'Inocles' DNA in Your Mouth Revealed

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.