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The oral-lung axis is an emerging field of research that explores the connection between oral health and the lung microbiome. Growing evidence indicates that maintaining a healthy oral microbiome and good oral hygiene practices may play a crucial role in protecting lung health.
What We Know:
The oral-lung axis is a closely linked and bi-directional connection between the oral and lung microbiomes. This relationship highlights the role of the oral microbiome in lung health and disease (Garmendia & Cebollero-Rivas, 2024).
The oral microbiome is one of multiple factors that affects and challenges respiratory health. Others include host genetics, diet, lifestyle and exposure to toxicants (smoke, biofuel, pollutants) (Cicchinelli et al., 2023).
The lung microbiome frequently overlaps with the oral microbiome due to the close connection between these two anatomical regions through the oral-lung axis. Salivary flow and microaspiration are the primary mechanisms that promote the establishment of the lung microbiome (Garmendia & Cebollero-Rivas, 2024).
Smoking is an environmental factor that significantly alters the composition of the oral and subgingival microbiota, leading to oral dysbiosis characterised by a diverse, pathogen-rich, commensal-poor and anaerobic microbiome. These changes impact lower airway dysbiosis through the oral-lung axis, negatively affecting respiratory health (Cicchinelli et al., 2023).
Industry Impact and Potential:
Dental plaque migrating to the lungs can worsen lung microbiome imbalances and related diseases. For example, the periodontal pathogen Fusobacterium nucleatum in the lungs is linked to worsening Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Conversely, COPD can also disrupt the oral microbiota. This bidirectional relationship emphasises the need for more research and suggests that improving oral health could help prevent and manage lung diseases (Garmendia & Cebollero-Rivas, 2024).
Researchers urge dentists and physicians to be more aware of the oral microbiome's impact on COPD and other lung diseases. They emphasise the need to prevent periodontal disease and slow the progression of COPD by monitoring and addressing oral health (Subbappa et al., 2023).
Interventional studies have demonstrated that periodontal treatments aimed at supporting the oral microbiome can help improve symptoms of COPD, prompting development of innovative products to support oral health (Lin et al., 2023).
Our Solution:
At Sequential, we specialise in microbiome analysis and product development for the oral, skin, scalp and vaginal regions, leading the way in solutions that maintain the microbiome. With our expertise, we are well-positioned to collaborate with your company to create innovative products that promote a healthy oral microbiome, enhance microbiota diversity, support lung health, and protect against lung diseases.
References:
Cicchinelli, S., Rosa, F., Manca, F., Zanza, C., Ojetti, V., Covino, M., Candelli, M., Gasbarrini, A., Franceschi, F. & Piccioni, A. (2023) The Impact of Smoking on Microbiota: A Narrative Review. Biomedicines. 11 (4), 1144. doi:10.3390/biomedicines11041144.
Garmendia, J. & Cebollero-Rivas, P. (2024) Environmental exposures, the oral–lung axis and respiratory health: The airway microbiome goes on stage for the personalized management of human lung function. Microbial Biotechnology. 17 (6), e14506. doi:10.1111/1751-7915.14506.
Lin, P., Liu, A., Tsuchiya, Y., Noritake, K., Ohsugi, Y., Toyoshima, K., Tsukahara, Y., Shiba, T., Nitta, H., Aoki, A., Iwata, T. & Katagiri, S. (2023) Association between periodontal disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The Japanese Dental Science Review. 59, 389–402. doi:10.1016/j.jdsr.2023.10.004.
Subbappa, A., Lokesh, K.S., Chaya, S.K., Kaleem Ullah, M., Siddaiah, J.B., Bhojraj, N. & Mahesh, P.A. (2023) Unmasking the Silent Threat: Periodontal Health’s Impact on COPD Severity and Hospitalization. Journal of Personalized Medicine. 13 (12), 1714. doi:10.3390/jpm13121714.
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