There are over 700 species of microorganisms in the human mouth. Their metabolites can pass directly into the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. Some commensal bacteria reduce nitrate to the signaling molecule nitric oxide (NO) with numerous functions, such as the dilation of blood vessels. Many chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's, diabetes, tumor and cardiovascular diseases are associated with oral dysbiosis.
Inflammation of the gingiva is dominated by bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum. These can penetrate along the oesophagus into the digestive system as far as the large intestine (oralization of the intestinal microbiome), where they displace the microorganisms living there and disrupt the balance of the intestinal wall inhabitants. The immune response of the T cells is suppressed, as a result of which the inflammation progresses and can assume a chronic state. Patients with periodontitis caused by periodontopathogenic bacteria have elevated inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein), which is also directly linked to arteriosclerosis. The resulting fatty deposits and calcification of the blood vessels are a common contributory cause of cardiovascular disease.
Porphyromonas gingivalis secretes the proteases gingipaines, which sometimes degrade cytokines. In conjunction with another enzyme (pPAD), they can form neoepitopes, which trigger antibody production against the body's own proteins (autoimmune reaction). Other virulence factors that promote inflammation are lipopolysaccharides (LPS molecules) or haemagglutinins.
The local microbial foci in the mouth produce large quantities of cytokines, which can trigger a strong reaction from the immune system. Dysbiosis in the oral cavity exacerbates the symptoms of chronic complaints, rheumatic diseases and diabetics due to the increased inflammatory status. In addition, bacterial signaling substances can activate cellular receptors (NF-κB) or transporter proteins for glucose.
An oral microbiome analysis can therefore make a contribution to checking a person's state of health.
