Oral Hygiene and the Gastrointestinal System; a Literature Review

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the periodontium and is considered to be one of the most common conditions affecting oral hygiene [1]. There are over 800 species of bacteria identified in the oral cavity [2], many of which may contribute to poor oral hygiene with modifiable risk factors such as smoking [3]. Poor oral hygiene has recently been associated with numerous systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus [4], obesity [5], rheumatoid arthritis [6], chronic obstructive lung disease [7], chronic kidney disease [8], coronary artery disease [9] and infections [10]. There is also an increased risk of malignancy associated with poor oral hygiene [11]. There is limited data exploring the effects of poor oral hygiene on the gastrointestinal system, our aim is to review the effects of poor oral hygiene on the gastrointestinal system. This review will include the effects of poor oral hygiene on the esophagus, stomach, small and large bowel, liver and pancreas.