Biological dentistry recognizes that conditions in the mouth can have effects elsewhere in the body, just as systemic conditions can impact the health of the teeth and gums.
Yet with TMJ disorders (TMD), almost all the attention is set on the jaw joints themselves and mechanical factors that can affect their function. While dentists may recognize the influence of things like chronic stress, mental health, diet, and nutrition, talk of causes tends to focus on physical forces, such as habitual teeth clenching or grinding, injury, or a misaligned bite.
But new research in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology suggests a surprising potential player in the development of TMD: gut health.
“Gut microbiota,” the study authors note, meaning the community of bacteria that live in your gastrointestinal tract,
has recently been classified as a “vital organ” due to its establishment of multidirectional and communicative links or axes with other organs through neural, endocrine, humoral, immune, and metabolic pathways. Changes in the microbiome can lead to gut-related problems, but also affect other organ-related diseases, although the actual mechanisms of gut-organ interaction are not fully understood.
Could it possibly affect TMJ troubles or how they play out? That’s what the research team set out to explore, using genetic information to see if certain gut bacteria might cause or protect against TMD.
They started by collecting genetic variation data on both gut bacteria and TMD, then carefully selected specific genetic markers called SNPs for their analysis, which used five different mathematical models to explore potentially causal relationships.
To make sure their results were reliable, the researchers ran a sensitivity analysis, a test that helps confirm that findings are stable and not just a coincidence. Additionally, they ran tests to explore how gut bacteria might influence TMDs and to see if TMD could be influencing gut bacteria rather than the other way around.
By using these complex methods, the researchers were able to identify specific gut bacteria that may increase the risk of TMD. These included
- Coprobacter
- Ruminococcus torques group
- Catenibacterium
- Lachnospiraceae
- Turicibacter
- Victivallis
- MollicutesRF9
- Methanobacteriales
- Methanobacteriaceae
- FamilyXI
- Methanobacteria
They also found that one type of bacteria called Peptococcaceae might actually help protect against TMD.
This groundbreaking research could open up some exciting new ways of understanding and potentially treating TMJ disorders. Certainly, much more research is needed to unravel the complex relationships between gut health and TMJ dysfunction, let alone develop specific therapies that treat jaw pain by targeting the microbiome.
Fortunately, an array of effective options exist right now for those suffering from TMJ trouble. The key is to uncover and address the root cause(s) to bring healing and lasting relief.
That’s why Dr. Abdulla offers a diverse range of proven techniques to provide that relief and restore proper jaw function – from appliance/splint therapy to ozone therapy, trigger point therapy to ultrasound therapy, healing essential oils, and beyond. By combining leading edge diagnostic tools with personalized treatment plans, she’s helped countless patients reclaim comfort and confidence in their daily lives, reaching a whole new level of wellness.