{"id":38593,"date":"2025-10-14T11:13:19","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T10:13:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clinicalvor.pt\/oral-microbiome-and-gut-the-two-way-street-that-influences-your-health\/"},"modified":"2025-11-06T11:49:18","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T10:49:18","slug":"oral-microbiome-and-gut-the-two-way-street-that-influences-your-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clinicalvor.pt\/en\/oral-microbiome-and-gut-the-two-way-street-that-influences-your-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Oral microbiome and gut: the two-way street that influences your health"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"38593\" class=\"elementor elementor-38593 elementor-37327\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-505e75b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"505e75b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-693e6cc e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"693e6cc\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4bf5ddf uael-heading-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-uael-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"4bf5ddf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;scroll_offset&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:25,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;content_between_space&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:4,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;scroll_offset_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;scroll_offset_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;heading_text_align&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;heading_bottom_space&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;heading_bottom_space_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;heading_bottom_space_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;separator_bottom_space&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;separator_bottom_space_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;separator_bottom_space_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;content_between_space_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;content_between_space_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"uael-table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-toc-main-wrapper\" data-headings=\"h4\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-toc-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-toc-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-toc-heading elementor-inline-editing\" data-elementor-setting-key=\"heading_title\" data-elementor-inline-editing-toolbar=\"basic\" >Table of contents<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-toc-toggle-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-toc-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul data-toc-headings=\"headings\" class=\"uael-toc-list uael-toc-list-none\" data-scroll=\"800\" data-scroll-offset=\"25\" ><\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-toc-empty-note\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span>Add a header to begin generating the table of contents<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dfbb405 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dfbb405\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"82\" data-end=\"703\">When you think of \u201cmicrobiome,\u201d your mind almost always goes to the gut. Fair enough. But there is another ecosystem with an active voice in your body: the mouth. Every day we swallow saliva containing millions of microorganisms and their metabolites; part of this \u201ccrew\u201d arrives alive in the digestive tract. At the same time, inflammation of the gums can release mediators into the circulation. The result: a <strong data-start=\"477\" data-end=\"490\">two-way<\/strong> highway\u2014the <strong data-start=\"495\" data-end=\"518\">mouth-gut axis<\/strong>\u2014where what happens at one end influences the other. Science has been mapping this connection, and the practical message is clear: healthy gums help keep the system more stable.      <\/p>\n<h4 data-start=\"705\" data-end=\"749\">What exactly is the gut-mouth axis?<\/h4>\n<p data-start=\"751\" data-end=\"1490\">Think of the mouth as a port with daily departures. The <strong data-start=\"807\" data-end=\"816\">local<\/strong> route is simple: saliva + oral biofilm travel to the stomach and intestines, carrying microorganisms and molecules that modulate the intestinal environment. The <strong data-start=\"964\" data-end=\"977\">systemic<\/strong> route is added when there is periodontal inflammation: the gingival barrier becomes more permeable and bacteria, bacterial fragments, and pro-inflammatory cytokines pass through it into the blood. There is also the <strong data-start=\"1175\" data-end=\"1189\">immune<\/strong> route\u2014defense responses that \u201csynchronize\u201d between the mouth and intestine, influencing the background tone of inflammation. In everyday life, these pathways are not disconnected: persistent changes in the mouth can promote <strong data-start=\"1395\" data-end=\"1418\">intestinal dysbiosis<\/strong> and vice versa, in a cycle that reinforces low-grade inflammatory signs.    <\/p>\n<h4 data-start=\"1492\" data-end=\"1545\">Those who live in the mouth&#8230; and how they \u201ctalk\u201d to the gut<\/h4>\n<p data-start=\"1547\" data-end=\"2341\">The oral microbiota is diverse: <em data-start=\"1576\" data-end=\"1591\">Streptococcus<\/em>, <em data-start=\"1593\" data-end=\"1606\">Veillonella<\/em>, <em data-start=\"1608\" data-end=\"1621\">Actinomyces<\/em>, among many others. When in balance, it coexists well with tissues. The problem arises when <strong data-start=\"1711\" data-end=\"1749\">there is more substrate and less control<\/strong>: poor hygiene, reduced salivary flow, tobacco, or a diet rich in ultra-processed foods can shift the ecosystem to a more acidic and inflammatory state. Bacteria associated with periodontal disease colonize gum pockets, produce toxins, degrade proteins, and release molecules that \u201ctravel.\u201d Through ingestion (saliva) or via the bloodstream (inflamed gums), this load reaches other tissues. This is not fiction: studies show that the composition of the oral microbiota is related to systemic metabolic and inflammatory profiles\u2014and that <strong data-start=\"2283\" data-end=\"2294\">traffic<\/strong> between the mouth and the intestine occurs every day.     <\/p>\n<h4 data-start=\"2343\" data-end=\"2419\">Periodontitis: from \u201cbleeding when brushing\u201d to inflammatory amplifier<\/h4>\n<p data-start=\"2421\" data-end=\"3276\"><strong data-start=\"2423\" data-end=\"2439\">Periodontitis<\/strong> is a chronic inflammatory disease of the tissues supporting the teeth. It often begins with bleeding during brushing and halitosis; it progresses to pockets, loss of attachment, and, in more advanced cases, tooth mobility. More than just a \u201clocal\u201d problem, periodontitis activates <strong data-start=\"2712\" data-end=\"2740\">inflammatory mediators<\/strong> (such as IL-6 and CRP), increases <strong data-start=\"2770\" data-end=\"2797\">transient bacteremia<\/strong> during mundane tasks (chewing, brushing), and can alter the <strong data-start=\"2853\" data-end=\"2877\">profile of the microbiota<\/strong> that descends into the intestine. The sum total is low-intensity, persistent inflammation, which has been associated with a <strong data-start=\"3000\" data-end=\"3032\">worse cardiometabolic profile<\/strong> in several observational studies: higher prevalence of hypertension, lipid changes, and other risk markers. Association is not causation, but the pattern is consistent: inflamed gums \u201cpull\u201d the system into a less favorable state.    <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c231230 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c231230\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c73c35b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c73c35b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a9a6e7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0a9a6e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clinicalvor.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/microbioma-oral-e-intestino-a-estrada-de-duas-vias-que-influencia-a-tua-saude.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-37331\" alt=\"microbioma oral e intestino a estrada de duas vias que influencia a tua sau\u0301de\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clinicalvor.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/microbioma-oral-e-intestino-a-estrada-de-duas-vias-que-influencia-a-tua-saude.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.clinicalvor.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/microbioma-oral-e-intestino-a-estrada-de-duas-vias-que-influencia-a-tua-saude-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.clinicalvor.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/microbioma-oral-e-intestino-a-estrada-de-duas-vias-que-influencia-a-tua-saude-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5c5792 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e5c5792\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40483bc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"40483bc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 data-start=\"3278\" data-end=\"3327\">Does treating periodontitis improve metabolism?<\/h4>\n<p data-start=\"3329\" data-end=\"4013\">That is the practical question. Clinical trials and reviews indicate that <strong data-start=\"3393\" data-end=\"3416\">periodontal therapy<\/strong>\u2014mechanical debridement, with or without adjuvants\u2014improves local inflammation and is associated with <strong data-start=\"3513\" data-end=\"3573\">modest reductions in systemic markers of inflammation<\/strong> (e.g., C-reactive protein) and small favorable adjustments in overall cardiometabolic indicators in certain groups. \u201cModest\u201d does not mean irrelevant: small but consistent effects add up when combined with a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and adequate sleep. In summary: <strong data-start=\"3886\" data-end=\"3946\">treating the gums does not replace healthy lifestyle habits<\/strong>, but it <strong data-start=\"3952\" data-end=\"3972\">can reinforce <\/strong>them by reducing the underlying inflammatory burden.   <\/p>\n<h4 data-start=\"4015\" data-end=\"4072\">What the evidence suggests (and where questions remain)<\/h4>\n<p data-start=\"4074\" data-end=\"4113\">The current map points in three directions:<\/p>\n<ol data-start=\"4114\" data-end=\"4847\">\n<li data-start=\"4114\" data-end=\"4231\">\n<p data-start=\"4117\" data-end=\"4231\"><strong data-start=\"4117\" data-end=\"4138\">Bidirectional axis<\/strong> \u2014 the mouth and gut influence each other through mechanical, systemic, and immune pathways.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4232\" data-end=\"4369\">\n<p data-start=\"4235\" data-end=\"4369\"><strong data-start=\"4235\" data-end=\"4266\">Periodontitis as a modulator<\/strong> \u2014 periodontal inflammation is associated with worse metabolic profiles and signs of intestinal dysbiosis.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4370\" data-end=\"4847\">\n<p data-start=\"4373\" data-end=\"4847\"><strong data-start=\"4373\" data-end=\"4400\">Periodontal intervention <\/strong>\u2014 treating the gums clinically improves oral outcomes (pockets, bleeding, halitosis) and can bring <strong data-start=\"4508\" data-end=\"4538\">modest systemic gains.<\/strong><br data-start=\"4539\" data-end=\"4542\">Where are the answers lacking? In standardizing methods (quality of biofilms analyzed, follow-up times), characterizing subgroups (age, medication, diet), and quantifying the <strong data-start=\"4712\" data-end=\"4729\">actual extent <\/strong>of systemic benefit over longer time frames. The direction is promising; the numbers are still being refined.  <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr data-start=\"4849\" data-end=\"4852\">\n<h3 data-start=\"4854\" data-end=\"4887\">What you can do in practice<\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"4889\" data-end=\"5736\">\n<li data-start=\"4889\" data-end=\"5015\">\n<p data-start=\"4891\" data-end=\"5015\"><strong data-start=\"4891\" data-end=\"4922\">Brushing + flossing\/interdental brushes<\/strong> (daily): reduces the bacterial load that fuels inflammation and stabilizes biofilm.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5016\" data-end=\"5158\">\n<p data-start=\"5018\" data-end=\"5158\"><strong data-start=\"5018\" data-end=\"5040\">Tongue scraping<\/strong> (10\u201320 seconds): fewer sulfur compounds (better breath) and fewer unnecessary \u201cexports\u201d to the gut.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5159\" data-end=\"5322\">\n<p data-start=\"5161\" data-end=\"5322\"><strong data-start=\"5161\" data-end=\"5193\">Microbiome-friendly routine<\/strong>: sleep 7\u20139 hours, exercise, choose full meals over snacking on acidic drinks throughout the day, limit ultra-processed foods.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5323\" data-end=\"5429\">\n<p data-start=\"5325\" data-end=\"5429\"><strong data-start=\"5325\" data-end=\"5339\">Hydration<\/strong>: drinking water upon waking up and between meals helps neutralize pH and maintain salivary flow.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5430\" data-end=\"5537\">\n<p data-start=\"5432\" data-end=\"5537\">Check-ups: persistent bleeding, sensitivity, or recurring bad breath are signs that should be evaluated.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5538\" data-end=\"5736\">\n<p data-start=\"5540\" data-end=\"5736\"><strong data-start=\"5540\" data-end=\"5585\">If you have cardiometabolic risk factors<\/strong> (e.g., excess weight, high blood pressure, lipid abnormalities), integrate <strong data-start=\"5665\" data-end=\"5679\">oral health<\/strong> into your overall plan\u2014the relationship works both ways.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"5738\" data-end=\"5741\">\n<h3 data-start=\"5743\" data-end=\"5756\">Conclusion<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"5758\" data-end=\"6355\">The mouth is not an isolated \u201cdepartment.\u201d It is a <strong data-start=\"5803\" data-end=\"5817\">central hub<\/strong> where microbiota, immunity, and metabolism exchange signals daily. Research on the <strong data-start=\"5909\" data-end=\"5932\">mouth-gut axis<\/strong> consistently links periodontitis to higher inflammatory load and less favorable metabolic profiles, and shows that <strong data-start=\"6050\" data-end=\"6085\">treating periodontal inflammation<\/strong> improves oral outcomes and <strong data-start=\"6115\" data-end=\"6123\">can<\/strong> contribute\u2014modestly but usefully\u2014to a more stable systemic environment. While science refines the numbers, there is one principle you can already apply: <strong data-start=\"6277\" data-end=\"6325\">taking care of your gums is taking care of the rest of your body<\/strong> \u2014 discreetly and cumulatively.   <\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"6362\" data-end=\"6406\">References<\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"6408\" data-end=\"7564\">\n<li data-start=\"6408\" data-end=\"6577\">\n<p data-start=\"6410\" data-end=\"6577\"> <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC11434369\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"6525\" data-end=\"6575\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC11434369\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6578\" data-end=\"6786\">\n<p data-start=\"6580\" data-end=\"6786\"> <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S1882761623000224?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"6717\" data-end=\"6784\">https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S1882761623000224<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6787\" data-end=\"6948\">\n<p data-start=\"6789\" data-end=\"6948\"> <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10455993\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"6896\" data-end=\"6946\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10455993\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6949\" data-end=\"7105\">\n<p data-start=\"6951\" data-end=\"7105\"> <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC11616297\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"7053\" data-end=\"7103\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC11616297\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7106\" data-end=\"7316\">\n<p data-start=\"7108\" data-end=\"7316\"> <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10262851\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"7264\" data-end=\"7314\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10262851\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you think of \u201cmicrobiome,\u201d your mind almost always goes to the gut. Fair enough. But there is another ecosystem with an active voice in your body: the mouth. Every day we swallow saliva containing millions of microorganisms and their metabolites; part of this \u201ccrew\u201d arrives alive in the digestive tract. At the same time, inflammation of the gums can release mediators into the circulation.    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37330,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[171,366,367,368],"class_list":["post-38593","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dental-medicine","tag-bacteria","tag-microbiome","tag-mouth-gut-axis","tag-poor-hygiene"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.clinicalvor.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38593","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.clinicalvor.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.clinicalvor.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clinicalvor.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clinicalvor.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38593"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.clinicalvor.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38593\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38594,"href":"https:\/\/www.clinicalvor.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38593\/revisions\/38594"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clinicalvor.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37330"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.clinicalvor.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38593"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clinicalvor.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38593"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clinicalvor.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}