When we think of the gum health, we often associate it with the toothache, to bleeding or tooth loss. But did you know that there might be a link much deeper, and less well-known, among the gum disease and the operation of the liver?
A recent study presented at EuroPerio11 brought out an alarming figure: periodontitis can worsen and accelerate the progression of liver cirrhosis.
Researchers analyzed the oral microbiota of two groups: 27 patients with liver cirrhosis and 24 healthy subjects. Through advanced subgingival plaque DNA sequencing techniques, they found that. In patients with cirrhosis:
- the bacterial diversity was significantly reduced
- normally beneficial species, such as Neisseria, Cardiobacterium and Corynebacterium, were found to be drastically decreased
This imbalance, known as oral dysbiosis, not only aggravates periodontitis, but may also adversely affect the liver, activating systemic inflammatory mechanisms along the mouth-intestine-liver axis.
The liver Is a vital organ, involved in essential processes such as:
- detoxification
- fat digestion
- the regulation of metabolism
A'Chronic inflammation resulting from an oral infection. can become a systemic stressor, worsening liver function in those already suffering from chronic diseases such as cirrhosis.
What can be done to protect mouth and liver?
- Not Never neglect daily oral hygiene: toothbrush, floss, and regular checkups at the dentist
- If you suffer from a chronic liver disease, inform your dentist: a periodontal assessment may also prove useful from a systemic point of view
- Consult your doctor If you often suffer from swollen or bleeding gums: they could be a sign of something more complex.
La Oral health plays a much more important role than expected in the management of liver disease chronic. The mouth, in fact, is a gateway for the entire organism!
[Medical Director: Dr. Mauro Savio, Member of the Dentists Register Provincial Order of Surgeons and Dentists of Milan n. 4168].
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