Impact of Gum Disease on Multiple Sclerosis Severity Revealed

A recent study has uncovered a significant link between severe gum disease and increased disability in multiple sclerosis patients. Researchers found that high levels of Fusobacterium nucleatum, a bacterium in the mouth, are associated with a ten-fold increase in the odds of severe disability. This highlights the need for further exploration of the oral microbiome's role in MS and its potential as a modifiable factor in disease management. The findings suggest that addressing oral health could be crucial in understanding and mitigating the severity of multiple sclerosis.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 31, 2025, 16:04 IST

Link Between Periodontitis and Multiple Sclerosis

New Delhi, Dec 31: A significant prevalence of severe gum disease, known as periodontitis, may exacerbate disability in individuals suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune condition affecting the central nervous system.

Prior research has indicated that periodontitis could influence central nervous system disorders through persistent inflammation. However, its specific impact on multiple sclerosis has not been clearly defined.

Recent findings published in the journal Scientific Reports reveal that elevated levels of Fusobacterium nucleatum, a bacterium present in the oral cavity, are linked to approximately ten times greater odds of severe disability among MS patients.

Masahiro Nakamori, an associate professor at Hiroshima University Hospital, stated, "While the gut microbiome has been thoroughly studied in relation to multiple sclerosis, the role of the oral microbiome has not been adequately explored. Given that the mouth is a significant source of chronic inflammation, understanding its connection to the severity of multiple sclerosis is crucial for uncovering disease mechanisms and creating new preventive measures."

The research team observed that nearly 61.5% of MS patients with a high presence of Fusobacterium nucleatum experienced moderate to severe disability, in contrast to about 18.6% of those with less severe forms of the disease.

No similar correlation was found in patients diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease. Furthermore, MS patients harboring both Fusobacterium nucleatum and at least one additional periodontal pathogen exhibited even greater levels of disability.

Nakamori remarked, "Fusobacterium nucleatum may serve as a concealed 'bridge bacterium,' linking bacterial communities in dental biofilms and potentially connecting oral inflammation to neurological impairments."

Multiple sclerosis is characterized as a central inflammatory demyelinating disease that affects the myelin sheath, the protective covering surrounding certain nerve cells.

Although the exact cause of multiple sclerosis is still unknown, factors such as viral infections, smoking, vitamin deficiencies, and genetic predispositions are believed to contribute to its onset.

The research team aims to conduct larger, multi-center studies to further validate the relationship between oral bacteria and the severity of multiple sclerosis.