Autism Spectrum Disorder, Oral Implications, and Oral Microbiota
<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Recent evidence indicates a significant relationship between ASD and imbalances in microbiot...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Children |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/3/368 |
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| author | Emiliana D’Angelo Fausto Fiori Giuseppe A. Ferraro Assunta Tessitore Luca Nazzaro Rosario Serpico Maria Contaldo |
| author_facet | Emiliana D’Angelo Fausto Fiori Giuseppe A. Ferraro Assunta Tessitore Luca Nazzaro Rosario Serpico Maria Contaldo |
| author_sort | Emiliana D’Angelo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background/Objectives</b>: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Recent evidence indicates a significant relationship between ASD and imbalances in microbiota, particularly in the oral and gastrointestinal areas. This review examines the impact of oral microbiota, self-injurious behaviors (SIB), sensory sensitivity, and dietary choices on the comorbidities associated with ASD. <b>Methods:</b> An extensive literature review was conducted using PubMed and Scopus. The focus was on human studies with full-text availability, utilizing search terms related to ASD, oral health, oral microbiota, and neurodevelopmental disorders. The research was evaluated for methodological quality and its relevance to the connections between microbiota, oral health, and ASD. <b>Results:</b> Individuals with ASD face unique oral health challenges, including injuries from self-injurious behaviors and increased sensory sensitivity, which complicate oral hygiene and care. Selective eating can lead to nutritional deficiencies and worsen oral health issues. Dysbiosis in oral and gut microbiota, marked by altered levels of acetate, propionate, and butyrate, interferes with gut-brain and oral-brain connections, contributing to behavioral and neurological symptoms. Treatment options such as probiotics, fecal microbiota transfer, and sensory integration therapies can potentially alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. <b>Conclusions</b>: The relationship between ASD, oral health, and microbiota suggests a bidirectional influence through neuroinflammatory mechanisms and metabolic disturbances. Proactive strategies focusing on microbiota and dental health may help reduce comorbidities and enhance the overall management of ASD, underscoring the need for further research into microbiota–host interactions and their therapeutic potential. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e9f46eb138cf4781a2f41a31da3ca5b5 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj-art-e9f46eb138cf4781a2f41a31da3ca5b52025-08-20T02:11:04ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-03-0112336810.3390/children12030368Autism Spectrum Disorder, Oral Implications, and Oral MicrobiotaEmiliana D’Angelo0Fausto Fiori1Giuseppe A. Ferraro2Assunta Tessitore3Luca Nazzaro4Rosario Serpico5Maria Contaldo6Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Dental Specialties, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Luigi de Crecchio, 6, 80138 Naples, ItalyMultidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Dental Specialties, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Luigi de Crecchio, 6, 80138 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Medicine and Health Sciences “Vincenzo Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, ItalyDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life Sciences and Environment, University of L’Aquila, Piazzale Salvatore Tommasi 1, Blocco 11, 67010 L’Aquila, ItalyDivision of General, Oncological, Mini-Invasive and Obesity Surgery, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, ItalyMultidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Dental Specialties, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Luigi de Crecchio, 6, 80138 Naples, ItalyMultidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Dental Specialties, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Luigi de Crecchio, 6, 80138 Naples, Italy<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Recent evidence indicates a significant relationship between ASD and imbalances in microbiota, particularly in the oral and gastrointestinal areas. This review examines the impact of oral microbiota, self-injurious behaviors (SIB), sensory sensitivity, and dietary choices on the comorbidities associated with ASD. <b>Methods:</b> An extensive literature review was conducted using PubMed and Scopus. The focus was on human studies with full-text availability, utilizing search terms related to ASD, oral health, oral microbiota, and neurodevelopmental disorders. The research was evaluated for methodological quality and its relevance to the connections between microbiota, oral health, and ASD. <b>Results:</b> Individuals with ASD face unique oral health challenges, including injuries from self-injurious behaviors and increased sensory sensitivity, which complicate oral hygiene and care. Selective eating can lead to nutritional deficiencies and worsen oral health issues. Dysbiosis in oral and gut microbiota, marked by altered levels of acetate, propionate, and butyrate, interferes with gut-brain and oral-brain connections, contributing to behavioral and neurological symptoms. Treatment options such as probiotics, fecal microbiota transfer, and sensory integration therapies can potentially alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. <b>Conclusions</b>: The relationship between ASD, oral health, and microbiota suggests a bidirectional influence through neuroinflammatory mechanisms and metabolic disturbances. Proactive strategies focusing on microbiota and dental health may help reduce comorbidities and enhance the overall management of ASD, underscoring the need for further research into microbiota–host interactions and their therapeutic potential.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/3/368autism spectrum disorderdysbiosisoral microbiotaoral healthoral hygienemicrobial dysbiosis |
| spellingShingle | Emiliana D’Angelo Fausto Fiori Giuseppe A. Ferraro Assunta Tessitore Luca Nazzaro Rosario Serpico Maria Contaldo Autism Spectrum Disorder, Oral Implications, and Oral Microbiota Children autism spectrum disorder dysbiosis oral microbiota oral health oral hygiene microbial dysbiosis |
| title | Autism Spectrum Disorder, Oral Implications, and Oral Microbiota |
| title_full | Autism Spectrum Disorder, Oral Implications, and Oral Microbiota |
| title_fullStr | Autism Spectrum Disorder, Oral Implications, and Oral Microbiota |
| title_full_unstemmed | Autism Spectrum Disorder, Oral Implications, and Oral Microbiota |
| title_short | Autism Spectrum Disorder, Oral Implications, and Oral Microbiota |
| title_sort | autism spectrum disorder oral implications and oral microbiota |
| topic | autism spectrum disorder dysbiosis oral microbiota oral health oral hygiene microbial dysbiosis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/3/368 |
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