(NaturalHealth365)  A recent study has uncovered what might be the most overlooked cause of chronic pain that affects millions of women worldwide: the bacteria living in your mouth.  Scientists from the University of Sydney have discovered a disturbing connection between poor oral health, specific oral bacteria, and chronic pain conditions, including migraines, fibromyalgia, and functional abdominal pain.

This research challenges everything we thought we knew about pain disorders and suggests your dentist might be as important to pain management as your neurologist.

The shocking link between your mouth and chronic pain

The comprehensive clinical study, published in April 2025 in Frontiers in Pain Research, examined the relationship between oral health scores, oral microbiota, and various pain presentations in women with central sensitization disorders.

Researchers found that participants with lower oral health scores suffered more migraines and higher pain levels throughout their bodies.  Even more concerning, four specific oral pathogenic species were significantly associated with bodily pain:

• Solobacterium moorei: An anaerobic pathogen associated with bad breath that helps harmful biofilms thrive
• Dialister pneumosintes: A periodontal pathogen linked to cerebral and neck abscesses
• Fusobacterium nucleatum: A known oral pathogen implicated in numerous health conditions
• Parvimonas micra: An opportunistic pathogen recently identified as a biomarker for colorectal cancer

Migraines and your microbiome

Women with migraines had significantly lower oral health scores than those without.  Participants in the lowest oral health quintiles were much more likely to suffer from frequent and chronic migraines.

A specific genus of bacteria called Mycoplasma was implicated in migraine at every taxonomical level studied.  One species in particular, Mycoplasma salivarium, was significantly more abundant in migraine sufferers.  This same bacterium has been isolated from patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain.

The study showed that each one-point increase in oral health score was associated with a 5-8% reduction in migraine risk!

The gut connection

The researchers also found a significant difference in oral health scores according to the severity of functional bowel disorder symptoms.  Those with the worst oral health scores had the most severe functional abdominal pain.

This finding supports growing evidence for what scientists are now calling the “oral-gut-brain axis,” where problems in the mouth can cascade through the digestive system and ultimately affect brain function and pain perception.

How mouth bacteria trigger system-wide pain

The human microbiota produces and induces substances that influence pain signaling throughout the body:

• Bacterial activity can induce substance P, calcitonin gene-regulated peptide (CGRP), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
• Bacteria can alter DNA methylation and affect neurotransmitter balance
• Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from gram-negative bacterial cell walls can induce pro-inflammatory cytokines

Dr. Sharon Erdrich, lead researcher, explained: “We hypothesize that poor oral health sets the stage for translocation of bacteria and microbial metabolites to the systemic circulation.  These metabolites and bacteria trigger heightened pain signaling and defects in pain mechanisms, contributing to the pathogenesis of idiopathic nociplastic pain.”

What’s particularly concerning is that Western medicine rarely considers oral health when treating chronic pain conditions.  Patients often endure years of ineffective treatments without anyone examining what’s happening in their mouths.

What can you do now?

While more research is needed to determine whether improving oral health can directly reduce chronic pain, there are several steps you can take:

1. Prioritize your oral hygiene: Brush thoroughly twice daily, floss daily, and consider using an oral irrigator
2. See a biological dentist: Find a dentist who understands the connection between oral health and overall wellness
3. Address existing dental issues: Don’t ignore signs of gum disease or infections
4. Consider oral probiotics: These may help restore a healthier balance of bacteria
5. Reduce sugar consumption: Sugar feeds harmful oral bacteria
6. Stay hydrated: Proper hydration supports healthy saliva production

The future of pain management starts in your mouth

This research suggests that for many chronic pain sufferers, the road to relief might begin with dental care rather than another pain medication.

For millions suffering from migraine, fibromyalgia, and other unexplained pain conditions, this research offers new hope – and a compelling reason to take a closer look at what’s happening inside their mouths.

If you are ready to discover the hidden secrets to optimal oral health and how it can transform your overall wellness, get access to Jonathan Landsman’s life-changing Holistic Oral Health Summit featuring 33 of the world’s top experts revealing breakthrough strategies to eliminate infections, prevent disease, and enhance your wellbeing through proper oral care.

Sources for this article include:

Frontiersin.org
EMJreviews.com