A new study from researchers in Japan has found a possible link between gum disease and multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord.
Multiple sclerosis is a disease in which the immune system attacks the protective covering of nerve cells called the myelin sheath, leading to communication problems between the brain and the body.
Research has shown that the common oral bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum can worsen the symptoms of MS.
People with MS may suffer from muscle weakness, balance problems and vision problems. Although the exact cause of MS is unknown, many researchers and scientists believe that MS may be caused by infections, vitamin deficiencies, smoking, or even genetic factors.
Many studies have looked at gut bacteria and how they may be involved in causing or worsening MS.
But this new research focused attention on the bacteria in the mouth, especially those involved in gum disease.
Gum disease, medically known as periodontal disease, is a long-term infection that causes inflammation and pain in the gums and affects almost half of the world’s population.
The severity of gum disease can lead to tooth loss and is also known to increase the risk of other diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and arthritis.
In this study, scientists collected tongue coating samples from people with MS and two other similar diseases: neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and myelin-oligendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD). They wanted to see if the levels of certain oral bacteria were related to how severe the diseases were.
They found that MS patients with high levels of Fusobacterium nucleatum in their mouths had more severe disability, as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
These patients were also more likely to have other harmful bacteria in their mouths and surprisingly this association was not found in patients with NMOSD or MOGAD, suggesting that gum bacteria may have a specific unique effect in multiple sclerosis.
