Mouth health is holistic. And mouth health can certainly affect the entire body. We’ve long known that oral bacteria can be a cause of heart disease. Well, oral bacteria can also slow and hurt your body’s immune system response to viruses too. Cells inside the mouth, called epithelial cells, protect against viruses. Specifically, the protect the body against viruses that enter through the mouth. Researchers at the University of Louisville have discovered that oral bacteria can suppress the activity of epithelial cells.
How it works
Epithelial cells grow as coverings on various parts of the body. They grow on the surface of body parts, such as the inside of the mouth. They sort of act as safety shields, protecting the body from various kinds of infections throughout the body. They typically are closely packed and come in different shapes. This helps them compose a barrier protecting the body.
Epithelial cells produce types of proteins, known as interferon lambdas. This protein family, discovered in 2003, protect people specifically from viral infections. The proteins, also known as cytokines, are a type of IFN. IFNs are simply a shortened way to write/say interferons. Anyway, these cytokines specifically help humans ward of viruses from the body. If you want to learn the specifics, you can check out this NCBI article. You may need to have some background in biology to completely understand it’s findings though.
This is where P. gingivalis comes into the picture. Porphyromonas (P.) gingivalis is a periodontal pathogen that lives below the gum line. It is one of the bacteria that causes periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a sort of umbrella term for an oral infection that often results in inflammation. It is caused by various pathogens, which exist as a complex biofilm that lives in the mouth and on the surfaces of teeth. Included in this group is P. gingivalis. Attesting to the opening of this writing, oral bacteria can cause various types of ailments in the body. P. gingivalis has been found to have links to various other diseases as well, including, but not limited to: Alzheimer’s and rheumatoid arthritis.
P.gingivalis affects epithelial cells by inhibiting the production of interferon lambdas. Those IFNs are the ones that help the body to resist viral infections.
Other implications
P.gingivalis and other oral pathogens also put people at higher risk for other diseases too. Because of the general suppression of the immune system, the bacteria make people susceptible to various dangerous diseases. These include enhanced susceptibility to:
- HIV.
- Herpes simplex viruses.
- SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID19).
- HPV (human papillomavirus, which can cause cancer).
- Periodontitis (tooth/gum infections).
Conclusion
Keep your mouth healthy so you can have a healthier you. Brush twice a day (once at night before bed, once in the morning before breakfast). Floss once a day, preferably at night to remove food debris before you sleep. Visit a dentist once every 6 months for a check up. Also, be sure to get anything big oral problems dealt with ASAP. Whether it’s an oral infection of the gums, a decayed tooth, or an injury.
Looking for the right dentist in Carrollton Texas?
If you think that it’s time for a check-up, or maybe you have a more pressing problem that needs treatment, then Josey Lane is here for you. We are a full-service family dentistry office that offers a wide range of treatments. Our services include oral surgery, implants, regular exams, cosmetic surgery, and much more. Send us a message today to set up an appointment or have any questions answered.
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