Age-related oral microbiota dysbiosis and systemic diseases

The oral microbiota is an essential microbial community within the human body, playing a vital role in maintaining health. In older adults, age-related changes in the oral microbiota are linked to both systemic and oral health impairments. The use of various medications for systemic diseases in the elderly can also contribute to the development of oral diseases. Oral microbiota dysbiosis refers to an imbalance in the composition of oral microbial communities. This imbalance, along with disruptions in the host immune response and prolonged inflammation, is closely associated with the onset and progression of several diseases. It contributes to oral conditions such as dental caries, periodontal disease, and halitosis. It is also linked to systemic diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and aspiration pneumonia. This review aims to explore how oral microbiota influences specific health outcomes in older individuals, focusing on Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and aspiration pneumonia. The oral microbiota holds promise as a diagnostic tool, therapeutic target, and prognostic biomarker for managing cardiovascular disease, metabolic diseases, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases. Emphasizing proper oral health care and instilling an understanding of how drugs prescribed for systemic disease impact the oral microbiome, is anticipated to emerge as a key strategy for promoting the general health of older adults.