The Gut ’s Role in Oral Bone Health

 Gut bacteria trigger loss of tooth-supporting bone in miceIn Brief:Researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina showed that certain gut bacteria trigger an immune response that leads to loss of the bone that anchors the teeth, akin to the bone loss that can result from periodontal (gum) disease.The findings point to a role for gut microbes in oral health and suggest that treatments to adjust the composition of gut bacteria could help prevent oral bone loss.Our mouths are home to billions of microbes, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms. These tiny tenants, collectively called the oral microbiota, are vital to our oral health, which depends on a delicate balance between harmful and helpful microbes. Disruption of this balance can lead to inflammation-related oral infections such as periodontal (gum) disease, which can cause loss of alveolar bone that supports and anchors the teeth. But the microbes in our mouths may not be the only ones to blame for alveolar bone loss.Chad Novince (left), Jessica Hathaway-Schrader (right), and colleagues reported that certain bacteria in the gut can contribute to bone loss in the mouth associated with periodontal disease. | MUSCIt turns out, specific bacteria in the gut (digestive tract) also appear to play a role in maintaining alveolar bone, according to a recent NIDCR-supported study published in Laboratory Investigation. The findings show that bacteria in the gut kick immune cells into gear,...
Source: Dental Technology Blog - Category: Dentistry Source Type: news