A Holistic Approach to Oral-Systemic Health Care: Integrating Natural and Modern Therapies

The oral cavity is an intricate environment, believed to host up to 500 different bacterial species on its surfaces. Teeth provide a unique environment for numerous bacterial species, with dental plaque alone harboring more than 100 billion microbes per milligram. These microorganisms are frequently implicated in various dental infections such as endodontic and periodontal diseases, which not only complicate oral health but also pose risks of bacteremia following dental procedures due to their proximity to the bloodstream. Additionally, the oral cavity can serve as a reservoir for pathogens impacting systemic conditions, particularly in immunocompromised patients. This is evident in observed correlations between poor oral health and systemic diseases including cardiovascular ailments, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes.

This Research Topic aims to explore the holistic effects of various bacteria on overall health and innovative therapeutic strategies that integrate natural remedies with contemporary medical interventions to address oral and systemic diseases. The goal is to establish evidence-based practices that enhance patient outcomes through the synergistic effects of combined therapies. This includes understanding the complex interactions between oral health and systemic diseases, and developing integrated treatment protocols that are effective across diverse patient demographics, particularly those with compromised immune systems. Notably, the oral microbiome includes both pathological and beneficial microorganisms that influence oral and systemic health.

To advance our understanding and treatment capabilities in this field, we invite submissions focusing on the following areas:

• Synergistic effects of natural compounds like propolis with newer dental treatments such as lasers.
• The impact of oral health management on systemic conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory illnesses.
• Protocols that combine traditional natural treatments with modern medical approaches for improved patient outcomes.
• Investigating the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of both natural and synthetic agents in dental care.
• Studies comparing the effectiveness of traditional remedies against modern treatments such as phototherapy and lasers.
• Preventative measures and their efficacy in managing chronic diseases linked to oral health.
• Examining the contribution of oral and gut bacteria to overall health, including their roles in promoting or mitigating systemic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and chronic inflammation.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: natural dental therapies, oral health innovations, systemic disease links, synergistic treatment strategies, antimicrobial natural compounds, dental plaque management, contemporary oral care, cardiovascular oral health connection, traditional remedies

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.