Scientists from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have studied bacteria commonly found in severe oral infections. Their research aims to help us understand how these bacteria may be connected to other health problems in the body.
It is already known that poor oral health can be linked to diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. However, there has been little research on which bacteria are actually present in serious oral infections over a long period.
To fill this gap, researchers analyzed samples from patients with severe oral infections collected at Karolinska University Hospital between 2010 and 2020. They identified the most common bacteria found in these infections and discovered that some of these harmful microbes are present in almost every case.
Worryingly, some of these bacteria have become even more common over the last decade in Stockholm.
The study found that the most frequently detected bacteria belonged to four major groups: Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Within these groups, the most common bacterial types were Streptococcus, Prevotella, and Staphylococcus. These bacteria are not only harmful to oral health but are also linked to diseases affecting other parts of the body.
One important takeaway from this research is that infections in the mouth are not just a dental problem. If certain bacteria can cause damage in the mouth, they can likely spread and harm other tissues in the body as well.
The research team has previously found that some oral bacteria are also present in the pancreas and that their presence can indicate the severity of pancreatic tumors. This suggests that oral infections might play a bigger role in overall health than previously thought.
The scientists now hope that dentists and medical researchers will work more closely together. By improving the understanding of which bacteria cause oral infections, they can enhance how these infections are diagnosed and treated. Better awareness of harmful bacteria in the mouth may also lead to better prevention strategies for serious diseases.
This study highlights the importance of oral health not just for preventing tooth and gum problems but also for maintaining overall well-being. If harmful bacteria in the mouth can contribute to diseases elsewhere in the body, keeping teeth and gums healthy could be an important step in reducing the risk of serious illnesses.
The study was led by Professor Sällberg Chen and was published in Microbiology Spectrum.
If you care about gum health, please read studies about an important causes of tooth decay and gum disease, and common tooth disease that may increase risks of dementia.
For more health information, please see recent studies about mouthwash that may increase your tooth damage, and results showing this diet could help treat gum disease.
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