Unique Oral Bacteria in Lupus - LupusCorner (2023)

The microbiome (the bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms that naturally live in the mouth) of people with lupus is unique, even if they are on treatment.

have people with lupusunique biodiversity of bacteria and microorganisms in the mouth. In fact, their mouths not only have a greater variety of types of oral bacteria, but they also have different amounts of certain types of bacteria.

Because it is important? First, it's important to understand that we don't live our lives completely alone: ​​each of us carries millions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms in our bodies…and that's perfectly healthy! These microorganisms form intricate communities called microbiomes, and different parts of our bodies can have very different types that call them home. Best known from popular culture is the gut microbiome, the microbes that call our gut home, helping us digest food, produce essential nutrients, control metabolism and fat storage, and protect us from disease. For people with lupus, a healthy microbiome, perhaps with the help of a good, balanced probiotic diet, can reduce inflammation and improve lupus symptoms.

However, other parts of our body have their own important communities, including the genitals, various areas of the skin, the lungs, and the mouth. To maintain good health, these communities must also be healthy, and certain types of microbes are more common than others.

What is the oral microbiome?

The oral microbiome is a term for the many types of bacteria that live in the mouth. usually weWe inherit much of our microbiome communities from our mothers., but not all. Most of our resident microbes come from the environment: what we eat, touch or breathe. Humans even transfer their microbiomes to each other. Air, water or soil contamination is also a major factor, although surprisingly they are not pets. In fact, pets have their own microbiomes, and the bacteria, viruses, and other microbes that live with them don't work as well in the human body.

Bacteria in the mouth areimportant for the health of teeth, gums and even the whole body.As one of the areas of the body that not only has the most contact with the outside world, but is also the most hospitable to the growth of microbes. The mouth is a very moist, nutrient-rich place to live, much like a rainforest version of the body. Because of this, the mouth is under constant pressure from invading microbes. You have some defenses against harmful bacteria, including enzyme-rich acidic saliva, mucus that traps microbes and potentially harmful substances, and, of course, the microbiome itself.

When the bacteria in the mouth are healthy, they can prevent other types from adhering to the teeth and gums, kill infectious microbes by secreting antimicrobial substances, and reduce inflammation. They also help regulate the pH of saliva, keeping it acidic enough to kill invaders, but not so acidic that it dissolves teeth and contributes to cavities. If your saliva is too acidic, it prevents important enzymes, like the carbohydrate-digesting enzyme amylase, from working in your mouth.

Some bacteria in the mouth actually prevent the formation ofdishes– A plaque is a layer of bacteria attached to a surface, e.g. B. the outer part of a tooth and adhere to each other. By staying that way, they protect themselves from being scratched off, being removed by acids or enzymes, and the actions of the immune system, making them difficult to get rid of. This type of bacterial interaction is also known as biofilm and is known in the mouth to irritate the gums and promote tooth decay and gum disease. Some members of the microbiome prevent these biofilms from forming by attaching to problematic bacteria and keeping them away from the gums.

How does the microbiome affect diseases like lupus?

What harms the oral microbiome?

The microbiome, wherever it is found, generally helps control the immune system, reduces inflammation, prevents "bad" microbes from causing problems, and provides nutrients for the human host or other microbes living in its vicinity to live to produce. When the microbiome is not healthy, it stops doing these things and the species that live in that microbiome change. Noncommunicable diseases like lupus and cancer may have a connection to microbiomes being "turned off" in some way. To some extent, this can be inherited, as much of his initial microbiome is provided to him at birth by his mother, and while he is a baby, if his mother has poor oral health or poor oral hygiene habits (or smokes), he will become in an unhealthy microbiome. It will also make you more prone to oral health problems in the future, even if her behavior is completely different due to the microbes you passed on to it. Their environment and behavior also change which species find their bodies hospitable, and one of those factors is the diseases that affect their bodies.

So do unusual microbiomes cause disease or are they a symptom of disease? The answer could be both. Typically, researchers find that bacteria don't usually cause disease, but something about what they produce, or the amounts in which they produce certain substances, can predispose a person to other conditions. As it is more susceptible to disease, this can make the microbiome environment more hospitable to species that are deteriorating a person's health, creating a feedback loop.

This makes the microbiome important for maintaining good health and, for some, a good early indication that something is not quite right.

Important study on the oral microbiome and lupus

A person with lupus is at increased risk of poor oral health, and this may be due in part to the lupus microbiome in their mouth.

NOChinese study of the oral microbiomes of people with earlobesTherefore, 462 people (182 people with SLE and 280 people matched as healthy controls with no other oral problems such as periodontitis) compared their bacteria with each other. They had his oral bacteria sequenced by taking a swab from his tongue and looking at the bacteria in his mouth. 73 of the people with SLE were also sequenced after SLE treatment to see if the treatment significantly changed their microbiome.

Disease activity in SLE appears to be reflected in the oral microbiome. When people with SLE were grouped into mild, moderate, and severe symptom groups in the study, they appeared to have unique microbiome profiles. After treatment, people with stable SLE or SLE in remission had a unique microbiome profile that differed from other people with SLE and also from healthy controls. This supports the idea that SLE cannot be cured, it can only be treated, and that even in people with minor or latent symptoms, the microbiome remains stable and consistent in the many ways that SLE can manifest. It also implies that the main symptoms of SLE may not be directly related to oral bacteria. Are there differences in the mouth of people with SLE, perhaps saliva production? This is unknown, but the stability found in this admittedly small study is remarkable. Oral bacteria did not return to "normal." In particular, studies in rheumatoid arthritis seemed to indicate that the treatment brought the oral microbiome closer to normal levels of diversity.

The oral microbiome and lupus: what's the point?

The oral microbiome may be involved in both the development and recovery of SLE.

Outside of the general outlines of normal microbes that live in the mouth and protect teeth, gums, oral tissues, and the body from disease and damage, we still know very little about the microbiome. Like other parts of the microbiome, the exact proportions of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms are highly dependent on the environment, including the air around us and the food we eat. One reason sugar can cause tooth decay, for example, is that it feeds certain types of bacteria that produce acidic substances. These bacteria also multiply in higher concentrations and form plaque on teeth, making it difficult to remove.

Acids in the mouth can dissolve tooth enamel beyond the mouth's ability to repair it, exposing the softer layer known as dentin. While tooth enamel is one of the hardest materials the human body can produce, dentin is quite soft and easily damaged. This is how cavities form. You can read more about cavities and lupusHere.

Many people with lupus experience it.Feeling of stickiness and dryness in the mouthbecause your mouth does not produce enough saliva. Saliva, in particular, lowers the pH in the mouth and contains enzymes that help prevent infection. SLE can attack the salivary glands, making them unable to produce enough saliva. This can actually make your SLE worse, as dry mouth can be a great place for infection, leading to inflammation that triggers more lupus symptoms. In addition to causing attacks and infections, dry mouth can also lead to cavities and sores on the skin of the mouth known as lesions or ulcers.

we know that tooAntibodies against oral bacteria are associated with more severe SLE symptoms. Bacteria are more likely to diein the bloodstreamor any other part of the body where it comes into contact with the immune system. It is not clear if this is the cause or effect of the mild inflammation found in lupus. It can also be both. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/probiotics-gum-disease Bacteria buildup near the gums causes inflammation, which can worsen lupus symptoms and worsen bacteria buildup. This is also known as gingivitis or inflammation of the gums. Oral bacteria can also interfere with wound healing and the formation of canker sores, a common symptom of lupus. You can read more about mouth sores and lupusHere.

Caring for your oral microbiome

Although we do not fully understand how the microbiome works,Change in microbes in the mouth and intestinesIt is a possible way to improve the health of people with lupus. Because to a certain extent you are what you eat and take care of your mouthtakes care of almost the entire body: Improving your oral health can improve your heart health, protect against many pregnancy complications, and protect against pneumonia. Bacteria from the mouth can enter the stomach, lungs, and bloodstream, so if the microbiome is disrupted, infections can also occur.

Fortunately, controlling the oral microbiome is quite easy: everything you put in your mouth affects the microbiome there, and you have almost complete control over it. One of the easiest ways is to change your diet. By changing the bacteria and nutrients that enter your mouth and gut, you can transform life in those areas.

High-sugar diets and poor dental hygiene allow non-beneficial bacteria to multiply. These bacteria produce acid that lowers the pH of the mouth and dissolves teeth, making it easier for cavities and cavities to form. Tooth decay is not a joke. So the answer is a low sugar diet and regular brushing, flossing and dental exams.CaffeineIt should be taken in moderation. Many caffeinated beverages are acidic, and caffeine is dehydrating. But some, like plant-based tea and coffee, also contain antioxidants and other anti-inflammatory nutrients that may have health benefits for people with lupus.

Probiotics can help with gut and oral health.Probiotics are microorganisms that offer potential health benefits when ingested or taken with a dietary supplement. Although most microorganisms are killed when ingested due to the body's various defenses, some of these "good bacteria" can find a home in the mouth and intestines. Healthy levels of these "good" bacteria are linked to health benefits, including anti-inflammatory benefits for people with lupus. Good bacteria can be boosted by eating a balanced diet rich in sources of these bacteria and the nutrition they need to thrive.

A great way to get probiotics in both places is through food.fermented foodssuch as yogurt, pickles or kimchi, as bacteria can colonize the mouth. These foods are also often high in vitamins, although many pickles use an acidic brine that can aggravate cavities or use a sugary brine that feeds destructive bacteria. However, frequent brushing should make this less of a problem.

High-fiber foods like leafy greens, bananas, asparagus, and apples also encourage the growth of desirable bacteria and should be part of a balanced anti-inflammatory diet. You can read more about the benefits of fiber for people with lupus.Here. Although people with lupus should not eatitIt is also considered a good probiotic food due to its immunostimulating substances, which increase inflammation in the body and therefore lupus damage.

Oral hygiene is also an important factor. Regular brushing (recommended twice a day), flossing, and rinsing can help keep your oral health, including your oral microbiome, in good shape. However,Be careful with strong mouthwashes that contain alcohol.. While mouthwashes help heal canker sores, they can also dry out your mouth and irritate the inside of your mouth, which can make symptoms worse. Saltwater rinses are mild and don't cause drying, but the American Dental Association also recommends fluoride mouthwashes.

Some good oral hygiene practices

hygiene is alreadyvital for people with lupus, oral hygiene no less.

Here are some tips on how to maintain good oral health with sparkling teeth:

• Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. The toothbrush should be replaced and updated every two months.
• Floss every day to prevent colonies from forming between the teeth.
• A healthy diet for lupus is low in sugar and processed foods.Zuckerv It's also in a lot of foods you wouldn't expect, so check labels!
• Use a mouthwash to remove food debris and remove unwanted bacterial colonies left behind after brushing and flossing. Be careful with mouthwashes though, as certain types can also dry out your mouth and cause problems of their own.
• Avoid the consumption of alcohol and tobacco. Smoking changes the pH of your mouth, introduces and feeds microorganisms you don't want, and dries out your mouth and airways. In general, alcohol consumption is not recommended for people with lupus for many of the same reasons.
• Visit the dentist regularly and have him examine and clean you regularly.