Research Suggests Oral Health Affects Psoriasis

Patients with psoriasis and poor oral health may experience more severe psoriasis symptoms than those with better oral health, according to dermatologists at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. The findings offer a clearer picture of the relationship between the oral microbiome, autoimmune conditions, and modifiable risk factors, such as diet and oral care.

Published in the Dermatology Online Journal, the study, “The Impacts of Oral Health Symptoms, Hygiene, and Diet on the Development and Severity of Psoriasis,” involved 265 patients at Ohio State’s dermatology clinics. Patients with psoriasis who rated their periodontal health as poor exhibited significantly more severe psoriasis symptoms than those with healthy gingiva. While cautioning these relationships remain preliminary and do not imply causation, the authors suggest clinicians consider discussing the potential impact of improved oral health with patients diagnosed with psoriasis.

From Decisions in Dentistry. March 2020;6(3):10.