A recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports reports on potentially pathogenic changes in oral microbiota following the consumption of sugar-rich drinks. Study: Altered salivary microbiota associated with high-sugar beverage consumption. Image Credit: A3pfamily / Shutterstock.
com The oral microbiome comprises over 700 bacteria species, as well as fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms. Disruption of the oral microbiome has been associated with oral diseases like periodontitis and may also be involved in the development of diabetes , cardiovascular disease, and some cancers. Saliva is often used to study the oral microbiome, as it is easily accessible and stable.
Furthermore, the composition of saliva can reflect changes secondary to other microbiomes or external influences. The researchers of the current study were interested in determining whether sugary drinks, including soft drinks and fruit juices, were harmful to the salivary microbiota. The high acidity and sugar content of these drinks can facilitate the development of caries and support the growth of certain bacterial taxa that proliferate in an acidic environment.
These bacteria can also produce more acid from the breakdown of carbohydrates. Altering biofilm composition affects the structure of the tooth surface that harbors oral bacteria, thereby impacting the salivary microbiota. High salivary glucose and acid levels can also lead to inflammation and subsequent alterations in the salivary microbiome.
