Research studies conducted at the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) have revealed that antibiotics can have an adverse effect on oral health. Unlike the body’s own microbes, antibiotics can obliterate good bacteria and exacerbate oral infections. Overuse of antibiotics has long been linked to negative effects, such as resistance to treatment. The new revelations provide insight into an uncharted territory. For Emergency Dentist Call Seven Oak Dental Centre
The team of researchers that conducted the study was led by Pushpa Pandiyan, an assistant professor at the CWRU’s School of Dental Medicine. The researchers reached their conclusion after analyzing the effect of resident bacteria and their fatty acids on immune cells. Oral infections are typically controlled by different types of white blood cells. Naturally, the infections worsen in the event that the integrity of the white blood cells is compromised.
Natural Defenses
To gain an in-depth understanding of how the body fights infections, the team of biological scientists focused on Tregs and Th-17 cells. They examined the short-term maintenance of these cells when it comes to combating fungal infections like Candida. The observations were carried out in a laboratory setting. The study proved that the body’s own defense mechanisms, which come in the form of microbes played an important in reducing infection and inflammation.
Antibiotics, on the other hand, have the ability to compromise the effectiveness of such natural defenses. According to Pandiyan, her team at CWRU looked at the body’s ability to counteract a fungal infection in the absence of good bacteria. In such a case, the antibiotics can act against short-chain fatty acids produced by good bacteria. The professor made a case against the overuse of antibiotic by stating that there is no need to harm the good bacteria since they play a critical defense role in the body.
She also noted the importance of antibiotics in the treatment of life-threatening infections. However, Pandyan emphasizes the need to safeguard the integrity of many natural defenses. It is vital to avoid interfering with beneficial microbes; hence, the need to limit the use of antibiotics.
Oral health
The study, which was published in Frontiers in Microbiology also outlined the link between oral and overall health. The research project is expected to have broader implications on the protective benefits of resident microbiota on a wide variety of infections.
The assistant professor of biological sciences is also involved in another project that examines oral conditions associated with the HIV virus. The project, which is run by the National Institutes of Health aims to gain detailed knowledge about the effect of weakened immune systems on oral health. Many HIV positive patients develop various oral health conditions.
In the past, physicians were convinced that a healthy body is sterile. Yet, recent research studies are providing concrete evidence that the body needs good bacteria and resident microbiota to fend off unwanted infections. This applies to both gut and dental health.
Some of the research staff and students that were involved in the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) study include:
– Cheriese Quigley
– Natarajan Bhaskaran
– Shivani Butala
– Elizabeth Schneider
– Clarissa Paw