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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
10:42
Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
Published on: December 31, 2017
A two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization study on gut microbiota, dental caries, and toothache
Longyu Zhang1,2, Xianjie Zheng1, Jiwei Xia1
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, Sichuan, China.
Medicine
|June 23, 2026
Summary
The gut microbiome influences dental caries and toothache. Significant gut bacteria, including the Eubacterium nodatum group, were linked to toothache, and dental issues impacted gut bacteria composition.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Genetics
- Oral health
Background:
- The gut microbiome's role in systemic health is increasingly recognized.
- The relationship between gut microbiota and oral health conditions like dental caries and toothache requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and dental caries/toothache using Mendelian randomization.
- To explore the potential bidirectional impact between oral health and specific gut bacterial genera.
Main Methods:
- Utilized genetic instruments for gut microbiota from the MiBioGen consortium.
- Employed genome-wide association study summary data from UK Biobank and FinnGen.
- Applied various Mendelian randomization methods (e.g., inverse-variance weighted, weighted median) and MR-PRESSO for robustness.
Main Results:
- Identified 22 gut microbial taxa associated with dental caries and/or toothache.
- Reverse Mendelian randomization indicated a significant association between the gut microbiome (Eubacterium nodatum group) and toothache.
- Evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship between gut microbiota and oral health.
Conclusions:
- Gut microbiota composition influences the development of dental caries and toothache.
- Dental caries and toothache can, in turn, affect the abundance of specific gut bacterial genera.
- Findings highlight the gut-oral axis connection in health and disease.
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