A new research focusing on women suggests a strong link between poor oral health and chronic pain disorders such as migraines and fibromyalgia.
The researchers used genomics examined the oral microbiome of nearly 160 women in New Zealand and identified specific microbes that were correlated with chronic pain.
According to the authors, lipopolysaccharides—toxins found in the cell walls of certain oral bacteria—can affect immune responses and have been linked to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in fibromyalgia, a condition marked by widespread pain and fatigue.
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“This is the first study to investigate oral health, oral microbiota and pain commonly experienced in women with fibromyalgia, with our study showing a clear and significant association between poor oral health and pain,” said lead researcher Joanna Harnett, associate professor at the faculty of medicine and health, University of Sydney.
Findings published in the journal Frontiers in Pain Research suggest a potential relationship between the oral microbiome and the nervous system.
Bad oral health was also said to be a trigger for migraines. Responses on body and abdominal pain, headaches and migraines were measured using surveys. Women having the poorest oral health were more likely to suffer from higher pain scores: 60 per cent were more likely to experience moderate to severe body pain, and 49 per cent were more likely to experience migraine headaches, the researchers said.
The study also highlights the importance of good oral health towards addressing pain and improving overall well-being.
