Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2024 Mar 19;16(1):2329474.
doi: 10.1080/20002297.2024.2329474. eCollection 2024.

Mediterranean diet: a potential player in the link between oral microbiome and oral diseases

Giuseppina Augimeri  1 , Giovanna Caparello  1 , Ippolito Caputo  2 , Rodolfo Reda  2 , Luca Testarelli  2 , Daniela Bonofiglio  1   3
Affiliations
Review

Mediterranean diet: a potential player in the link between oral microbiome and oral diseases

Giuseppina Augimeri et al. J Oral Microbiol. .

Abstract

Background: The oral microbiome is a complex and dynamic assemblage of microorganisms that colonize different sites of the oral cavity maintaining both oral and systemic health. Therefore, when its composition is altered, oral diseases occur. Among oral inflammatory pathologies, periodontal diseases affect the tissues surrounding the teeth, representing the main cause of tooth loss and one of the most important threats to the oral health. Lifestyle and eating habits influence the composition of the human oral microbiota and the development and progression of oral diseases. In this context, the Mediterranean Diet (MD) model, comprising both healthy dietary choices and lifestyle, is linked to the prevention of several metabolic and chronic-degenerative pathological processes, including oral diseases. Indeed, the MD is a plant-based diet, enriched of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrients, which may induce beneficial effects against dental caries and periodontal diseases.

Aim: This review summarizes the role of the oral microbiome in the development of the oral diseases and the potential of MD in modulating the oral microbiome leading to implications for oral health.

Conclusions: The data collected highlight the need to promote the MD pattern along with the correct hygiene habits to prevent the development of oral diseases.

Keywords: Mediterranean Diet; biofilm; chronic metabolic diseases; dental plaque; nutrients; oral diseases; oral health implications; oral microbiome; periodontal diseases.

Plain language summary

The oral microbiome is a complex and dynamic assemblage of microorganisms that colonize different sites of the oral cavity maintaining both oral and systemic health.The Mediterranean Diet (MD) model, comprising both healthy dietary choices and lifestyle, is linked to the prevention of several metabolic and chronic degenerative pathological processes, including oral diseases.The MD may represent a potential player in the link between oral microbiome and oral diseases.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Mediterranean Diet pyramid and daily recommended macronutrient intake.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Impact of the MD pattern on the metabolic and chronic diseases, including oral diseases.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Deo PN, Deshmukh R.. Oral microbiome: unveiling the fundamentals. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2019;23(1):122–16. doi: 10.4103/jomfp.JOMFP_304_18 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Dewhirst FE, Chen T, Izard J, et al. The human oral microbiome. J Bacteriol. 2010, 192(19):5002–5017. doi 10.1128/JB.00542-10 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Zhao H, Chu M, Huang Z, et al. Variations in oral microbiota associated with oral cancer. Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):11773. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-11779-9 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Aas JA, Paster BJ, Stokes LN, et al. Defining the normal bacterial flora of the oral cavity. J Clin Microbiol. 2005;43(11):5721–5732. doi: 10.1128/JCM.43.11.5721-5732.2005 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Li X, Liu Y, Yang X, et al. The oral microbiota: community composition, influencing factors, Pathogenesis, and interventions. Front Microbiol. 2022;13:895537. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.895537 - DOI - PMC - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources