It’s All Connected: What Does the Oral-Gut Microbiome Axis Mean for Overall Health?

Emerging research into the oral-gut microbiome axis highlights the profound impact of these interconnected ecosystems on systemic health. Once considered distinct, the oral and gut microbiomes are now recognised for their influence on various health outcomes, opening new opportunities for innovation that optimises this relationship.

What We Know:

• The oral cavity and gut, while separate, are linked through microbial migration, especially during dysbiosis or compromised gut barriers. Oral microbes can travel to the gut via oral-to-gut or faecal-to-oral routes, influenced by factors like low gastric acidity, poor hygiene and immune deficiencies (Park et al., 2021).

• Shared microbial taxa such as Streptococcus, Prevotella and Veillonella demonstrate this connection throughout the gastrointestinal tract (Kunath et al., 2024).

• Oral dysbiosis, often linked to periodontal disease, has widespread systemic effects. Pathogens like Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum contribute to conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colorectal cancer (CRC), liver diseases and pancreatic cancer by promoting inflammation and disrupting gut barrier function (Park et al., 2021).

• Prolonged use of antibacterial mouthwash, like chlorhexidine, disrupts both the oral and gut microbiomes. A mouse study showed that chlorhexidine reduced weight gain and improved metabolic function, but also increased colon triglycerides, suggesting reduced nutrient absorption. While short-term effects were beneficial, potential long-term disruptions in microbiota balance and nutrient malabsorption highlight the need for careful formulation of oral care products. This illustrates the oral-gut microbiome axis' role (Carvalho et al., 2024).

Industry Impact and Potential:

• Ongoing research is needed to clarify the complexities of the oral-gut microbiome axis. Advanced metagenomic studies will further our understanding of microbial interactions and their role in systemic diseases (Kunath et al., 2024).

• Microbiome therapies offer the potential for personalised medicine, targeting the oral-gut axis to treat conditions like IBD, CRC and autoimmune disorders. For example, probiotic interventions (Park et al., 2021).

• Oral microbiome analysis can also serve as a non-invasive, cost-effective tool for early disease detection, as science now knows this to be representative of a larger landscape (Park et al., 2021).

Our Solution:

At Sequential, we lead microbiome product development and testing from global hubs in London, New York and Singapore. Our customisable services empower businesses to innovate confidently, ensuring products preserve microbiome integrity while meeting efficacy and sustainability goals, and studies that explore this. Partner with us to explore optimising the oral-gut microbiome axis by oral microbiome intervention and develop cutting-edge solutions for improved health outcomes.

References:

Carvalho, L.R.R.A., Boeder, A.M., Shimari, M., Kleschyov, A.L., Esberg, A., Johansson, I., Weitzberg, E., Lundberg, J.O. & Carlstrom, M. (2024) Antibacterial mouthwash alters gut microbiome, reducing nutrient absorption and fat accumulation in Western diet-fed mice. Scientific Reports. 14 (1), 4025. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-54068-y.

Kunath, B.J., De Rudder, C., Laczny, C.C., Letellier, E. & Wilmes, P. (2024) The oral–gut microbiome axis in health and disease. Nature Reviews Microbiology. 22 (12), 791–805. doi:10.1038/s41579-024-01075-5.

Park, S.-Y., Hwang, B.-O., Lim, M., Ok, S.-H., Lee, S.-K., Chun, K.-S., Park, K.-K., Hu, Y., Chung, W.-Y. & Song, N.-Y. (2021) Oral-Gut Microbiome Axis in Gastrointestinal Disease and Cancer. Cancers. 13 (9), 2124. doi:10.3390/cancers13092124.