Abstract

MOODLEY, D  and  MOODLEY, T. The Oral Microbiome and Mental Health: An Emerging Paradigm. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2025, vol.80, n.10, pp.550-554. ISSN 0375-1562.  https://doi.org/10.17159/sadj.v80i10.22087.

Recent research highlights the human microbiome as a significant determinant of systemic health. While the gut microbiome has been extensively studied, growing evidence suggests that the oral microbiome is implicated in a range of systemic and neurological disorders. This review examines the emerging relationship between the oral microbiome and mental health, with a focus on mechanisms including inflammation, neurotransmitter modulation and microbial translocation. Dysbiosis within the oral cavity may contribute to neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions. Understanding these associations provides a foundation for novel therapeutic and preventive strategies that integrate oral health into broader neuropsychiatric care.

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