Gut-brain-oral dysbiosis: A comprehensive review
Highlights
This study explores the intricate interactions within the gut-brain-oral microbiome axis, emphasizing the role of microbial dysbiosis in shaping health outcomes.
Microbiome dysbiosis contributes to dental caries and neurodevelopmental outcomes, emphasizing the bidirectional relationship between oral and systemic health via the gut-brain axis.
These findings highlight the potential of microbiome-targeted strategies to improve oral health and reduce systemic risks in children.
Abstract
The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication system between the gut and central nervous system, mediated by the nervous, hormonal, and immune systems. This connection plays a critical role in overall health and has been linked to oral health conditions such as dental caries. Specific bacteria within cariogenic biofilms are associated with an increased risk of dental caries, and emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiome may influence biofilm formation. Dysbiosis in the gut can alter immune responses, affecting the body’s ability to manage cariogenic bacteria and contributing to caries susceptibility, particularly in children. The composition of the gut microbiome in early childhood is crucial, as it influences immune system development and oral microbial ecology, determining long-term dental health outcomes. Psychological stress, which interacts with the gut-brain axis, has also been correlated with higher susceptibility to dental caries. Stress can dysregulate immune pathways, exacerbate inflammation, and contribute to oral biofilm imbalance. Furthermore, disruptions in the oral microbiota can have systemic consequences. Dysbiosis in the gut-brain-oral axis may trigger inflammatory responses linked to both neurodevelopmental and systemic health conditions. In conclusion, the gut-brain axis and the gut microbiome play pivotal roles in dental health by modulating immune responses, stress interactions, and microbial balance. Understanding these relationships is essential for developing preventive and therapeutic strategies, particularly in pediatric populations. This review aimed to delineate the relationship between the gut-brain axis, oral microbiome, and dental caries, focusing on how dysbiosis and immune responses influence caries susceptibility, particularly in children.
Keywords: Gut-Brain Axis; Oral Microbiome; Dysbiosis; Pediatric Dentistry; Dental Caries
Author Affiliations
- Associate Professor, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, D Y Patil Dental School, India
- Professor, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, D Y Patil Dental School, India
- Resident, Department of Ophthalmology, Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College, India
- Professor, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, D Y Patil Dental School, India
- Assistant Professor, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, D Y Patil Dental School, India (Correspondence:pavanherkar@gmail.com)
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Article Info
Contemp Pediatr Dent 2024:5(3):113-125
Received: 20 August 2024
Accepted: 09 December 2024
Online First: 19 December 2024
DOI: 10.51463/cpd.2024.43
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How to Cite
Geetanjali Jadhav, Rahul Hegde, Yashraj J Jadhav, Anand Shigli, Pawan Herkar. Gut-brain-oral dysbiosis: A comprehensive review. Contemp Pediatr Dent 2024:5(3):113-125.

