Recent research shows that the health of the mouth and gut are closely connected. The mouth can act as a "gateway" for bacteria to travel to the gut, and this movement of bacteria may affect overall health. The gut is the part of the body that hosts the most microorganisms, and the balance of these microorganisms is important for keeping our body functioning properly.

When the balance of microorganisms in the mouth and gut is disrupted, it can lead to problems like inflammation (swelling) and issues with metabolism. These problems are linked to diseases that affect the heart and metabolism, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.

There is still a lot we don’t know about how the bacteria in the mouth and gut interact. The current research mostly looks at these areas separately and doesn't always provide a clear picture of how changes in one area (like the mouth) might affect the other (like the gut). We also need more research that follows people over time to understand how these changes might lead to diseases.

For future research, scientists are hoping to find out more about how these bacteria communicate with each other and our bodies. They want to identify the specific chemicals and signals that bacteria send, which could help us develop better treatments for heart and metabolic diseases.

In the future, we may also be able to develop treatments that adjust the bacteria in our bodies based on each person's unique microbiota (the specific mix of microorganisms in their body). This could make treatments more effective and reduce side effects.

Reference: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41522-025-00646-5?fbclid=IwY2xjawIGCG1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZMvqoA8z7QtAsiqBqRDVRYFCBuslSw9qf3HrqZsnXd5QefoEfnyoWzA3w_aem_vqwRzU5klRGS1HwC7oTQwA