Gut-brain-oral dysbiosis: A comprehensive review

Abstract

The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication system between the gut and central nervous system, mediated by the nervous, hormonal, and immune systems. This connection plays a critical role in overall health and has been linked to oral health conditions such as dental caries. Specific bacteria within cariogenic biofilms are associated with an increased risk of dental caries, and emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiome may influence biofilm formation. Dysbiosis in the gut can alter immune responses, affecting the body’s ability to manage cariogenic bacteria and contributing to caries susceptibility, particularly in children. The composition of the gut microbiome in early childhood is crucial, as it influences immune system development and oral microbial ecology, determining long-term dental health outcomes. Psychological stress, which interacts with the gut-brain axis, has also been correlated with higher susceptibility to dental caries. Stress can dysregulate immune pathways, exacerbate inflammation, and contribute to oral biofilm imbalance. Furthermore, disruptions in the oral microbiota can have systemic consequences. Dysbiosis in the gut-brain-oral axis may trigger inflammatory responses linked to both neurodevelopmental and systemic health conditions. In conclusion, the gut-brain axis and the gut microbiome play pivotal roles in dental health by modulating immune responses, stress interactions, and microbial balance. Understanding these relationships is essential for developing preventive and therapeutic strategies, particularly in pediatric populations. This review aimed to delineate the relationship between the gut-brain axis, oral microbiome, and dental caries, focusing on how dysbiosis and immune responses influence caries susceptibility, particularly in children.

Keywords

• gut-brain axis
• oral microbiome
• dysbiosis
• pediatric dentistry
• dental caries