University of Sydney study indicates oral health problems associated with higher instances of migraines, abdominal and body pain.
By Stan Goff, Senior Content Editor
For years now, researchers have reported on the importance of good oral health and its role in overall health. These studies on the oral systemic link have addressed several health concerns related to poor oral health, including higher risks for heart disease and diabetes.
Now, research out of Australia also indicates that oral health problems can lead to migraines and body pain in women. This new research from the University of Sydney has revealed poor oral health is significantly associated with higher instances of migraines, abdominal and body pain in women.
The world-first study, published in Frontiers in Pain Research, identified specific oral microbes correlated with certain pain conditions, suggesting a potential relationship between the oral microbiome and the nervous system, according to a press release from the University of Sydney.
The findings verify the importance of good oral health to potentially mitigate pain and improve overall well-being, prompting further exploration into the role of oral microbiota in chronic unexplained pain conditions. This includes fibromyalgia, a condition experienced by 67 percent of the study participants, the researchers state.
“This is the first study to investigate oral health, oral microbiota and pain commonly experienced in women with fibromyalgia, with our study showing a clear and significant association between poor oral health and pain,” said lead investigator Associate Professor Joanna Harnett from the Faculty of Medicine and Health, in today’s press release.
“Our findings are particularly important to fibromyalgia, which, despite being a common rheumatological condition, is often underrecognized,” added first author and Ph.D. candidate in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sharon Erdrich. “Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and headaches, as well as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive problems.”
The Study’s Methods
The University of Sydney research examined associations between self-reported oral health, the oral microbiome, and various pain presentations in a group of New Zealand women with and without fibromyalgia.
The researchers assessed oral health using the WHO oral health questionnaire and evaluated against body pain, headaches, migraines, and abdominal pain using validated instruments, including the Short-form 36 (which measures quality of life), the International Headache Society headache survey and the functional bowel disorder severity index.
The scientists found strong associations were evident between oral health scores and pain and each of these were associated with specific microbes found in the mouth, which were assessed using advanced genomic technology.
Participants with the poorest oral health were more likely to suffer from higher pain scores: 60 percent were more likely to experience moderate to severe body pain, and 49 percent were more likely to experience migraine headaches. Lower oral health was a statistically significant predictor of frequent and chronic migraine, according to the study’s results.
Four oral microbial species from the Dialister, Fusobacterium, Parvimonas and Solobacterium genera were significantly associated with pain after age; BMI and added dietary sugars were considered.
A weak but significant inverse correlation with diet quality and oral health was also found, though the researchers note this has yet to be investigated in detail. This study is just the latest in a long line of research indicating the impact that oral health has on overall health. Because of this, the Australian Dental Association is one of many organizations that recommends regular oral hygiene appointments and dental health checks, in addition to twice-daily teeth brushing and flossing.
For more information on the research, visit https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pain-research/articles/10.3389/fpain.2025.1577193/full
