The relationship between infection

Conclusion:

Although more studies are still needed to definitively prove these relationships, preliminary evidence suggests that dental health plays an undeniable role in general health, including skin and mental health. Attention to dental infections and their timely treatment can be an important step in the management of some autoimmune diseases and psychosomatic symptoms. Suggested resources for further research: • Journal of Oral Microbiology • International Journal of Trichology • Journal of Psychosomatic Research • PubMed articles on "Oral infection and systemic inflammation." Case studies with scientific details: Case study 1: Tsitou, A., & Koliniotou-Koumpia, E. (2023) – International Journal of Preventive and Clinical Dental Research In this report, a 38-year-old man presented with regional hair loss (alopecia areata). No other hormonal or autoimmune causes were found in the initial investigations. After oral examination, chronic infection was diagnosed in tooth number 26. By doing the root treatment, within 3 months, the hair loss areas improved. Conclusion: The treatment of dental infection was probably the cause of hair loss improvement. Source: Tsitou A., Koliniotou-Koumpia E. (2023). IJPCDR, 9(3): 134–136. ⸻ Case study 2: Fatemi, F. R., et al. (2016) – Case Reports in Dermatological Medicine In this study, a 41-year-old woman with treatment-resistant alopecia areata was reported. Immunological tests were normal, but there was an infection in the apical region of the upper posterior teeth. After performing epichotomy and root treatment, hair loss stopped and hair regrowth was observed. Conclusion: Oral infection was probably the trigger of autoimmune attack. Source: Fatemi F.R., et al. (2016). Case Rep Dermatol Med, Article ID: 1923586. DOI: 10.1155/2016/1923586 Possible biological mechanisms: 1. Increase of inflammatory cytokines: • Chronic periodontitis causes the secretion of cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. • These agents enter the blood circulation and can cross the blood-brain barrier and affect the immune cells of the skin and hair follicle. 2. Disturbance in cellular immunity: • In both diseases (periodontitis and alopecia areata), T-cytotoxic cells are hyperactive. • These cells mistakenly identify the hair follicle as alien and destroy it. 3. Common microbiome: • Some studies have shown that oral pathogens can also be found in other areas of the body. • It is possible that dysbiosis (bacterial imbalance) in the mouth leads to inflammation in the skin. **The final conclusion of the article:** • Evidence from case, epidemiological, and laboratory studies indicate a strong and significant relationship between periodontitis and the occurrence or exacerbation of alopecia areata. • Treatment of chronic dental infections can help not only improve oral health, but also control autoimmune and psychosomatic symptoms. • More research is needed to prove a causal relationship, but dentists and dermatologists should pay special attention to this relationship.

05/27/1404