Oral Bacteria Can Affect Your Gut: Study

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Bacteria in any form is dangerous. The moment it affects your body parts it can be harmful and causes serious implications.

A new study has found that bacteria residing in your mouth may be responsible for the inflammatory bowel disease, as it activates immune cells to fuel inflammation in the gut.

So if you have been suffering from any kind of inflammatory bowel disease then you need to get it checked at the earliest and get the necessary treatment done on time.

According to the study, it was found that when the bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae colonises in an intestine out of microbial balance, immune cells called T helper 1 (TH1) become overactive in the gut, resulting in intestinal inflammation leading to the onset of inflammatory bowel disease.

On an average, humans ingest 1.5 litres of saliva containing bacteria every day, which could possibly have harmful effects on health.

"We noticed that oral microbes are relatively enriched in gut microbiomes of patients with several diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, HIV infection, and colon cancer compared with healthy individuals," said Masahira Hattori, Professor at the Waseda University in Tokyo.

During the study, the team administered salivary samples of healthy and inflammatory bowel disease-afflicted individuals to germ-free mice.

The study was recently published in the journal Science.

After six to eight weeks, the microbial content of the mice's faeces were analysed, which showed that approximately 20 kinds of oral bacteria were present in these mice.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is usually a normal resident in the mouth of healthy individuals.
However, the researchers advised against excessive and long-term use of antibiotics as Klebsiella pneumoniae could persist in the intestine.

Another study, led by researchers from Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China, suggested that treating gum disease may significantly lower blood pressure.

"The study demonstrates for the first time that intensive periodontal intervention alone can reduce blood pressure levels, inhibit inflammation and improve endothelial function," said lead author Jun Tao, Chief of the department of Hypertension and Vascular Disease at the varsity.

The findings were presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2017 in California.

Meanwhile, also learn how gum disease can lead to other serious health issues. Take a look.

1. Heart Disease:
Heart is one of the vital human organs. Several studies have suggested that poor oral health can lead to increased risk of heart disease. Those suffering from chronic gum disease have increased thickness of their neck blood vessels and this leads to severe health issues.

2. Diabetes:
Diabetes and oral health are interconnected. Oral bacteria can have a serious impact on those who are diabetic. If a person is diabetic then they are at a higher risk of having gum problems due to poor blood sugar control.

3. Dementia:
For people suffering from gum disease there are chances that they will have a major memory problem and cognitive impairment. Once the bacteria that affects your dental can affect the brain as well. This in turn can lead to serious brain related issues like dementia and even alzheimer's.

(With Agency Inputs)

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.