BV – you also probably have it in your mouths

TL;DR

Recent studies have unveiled a startling connection between bacterial vaginosis (BV) and oral health, revealing that the same dysbiosis affecting the vagina can also be present in the mouth. This research highlights the importance of considering oral hygiene and dental health as part of treating and understanding BV, as well as the potential implications for sexual practices and preterm labour.

Research has revealed that women with bacterial vaginosis (BV) also often have the same dysbiosis (bacterial imbalance) in their mouths.

When you are treating BV, you also need to consider that you and anyone you are kissing regularly may have these bacteria in their mouths.

There are only a few research pieces that shed light on BV-causing bacterial colonisation of the mouth, which are discussed below.

What the research says

This paper presents findings of clinical features of periodontal tissues – the mouth and gums – in a patient group diagnosed with BV.

Researchers looked for the correlations between bacteria in the mouth and vagina, discovering that all the women in their study group with BV also had general inflammation and periodontal disease of varying severity.

Gardnerella vaginalis, which is not normally found in the mouth, was detected using PCR testing in the mouth and the vagina of all the women in the research.

The major markers of BV were also found in the mouth of these women, for example, a less acidic/more alkaline pH and a decrease in salivation rate.

There was also more mucous present, and classic BV markers such as clue cells – which are not normally present in the mouth.

Study #2 – BV and periodontal disease are linked​2​

This study of over 3,500 women looked into the association between periodontal disease and BV.

The women in the study had their vaginal microflora evaluated every three months for a year, with a dental examination at the first study visit.

At the first visit, about 40 per cent of the women had a diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis, while 25 per cent had periodontal disease. The number of dental ‘sites’ of concern in women with BV was significantly higher than women without BV.

As the number of dental sites increased, so did the risk of having bacterial vaginosis.

The greater number of dental sites was significantly associated with higher Mobiluncus and G. vaginalis or Bacteroides, but not Lactobacillus.

The greater the number of dental sites present, the greater the chance of having odour using the whiff test was (fishy odour), typical BV discharge, clue cells, a high vaginal pH (>4.5) and Trichomonas vaginalis.

Study #3 – BV, dental infections and preterm labour​3​

This study looked into the relationship between BV and periodontal infection in 500 pregnant women, to see what the relationship may be between preterm birth and periodontal disease. The women were divided into four groups of 50 women.

  1. Group 1 was the control and did not have BV or periodontal infection
  2. Group 2 tested positive for periodontal infection but not BV
  3. Group 2 tested positive for BV
  4. Group 4 tested positive for both BV and periodontal infection

The results showed that both BV and periodontal infection separately correlated to preterm labour and premature rupture of membranes, and was considered statistically significant.

Study #4 – Dental disease, BV and sex practices​4​

This study looked at the association between periodontal disease, BV, and sexual practices using data from over 3,500 women.

Twenty-eight per cent of women with BV had periodontal disease, compared to 22 per cent who did not have periodontal disease. This equates to a 1.29 per cent greater chance of periodontal disease in women with BV.

Women giving oral sex to men who were uncircumcised was associated with a 1.28 greater risk of periodontal disease amongst women with BV, than women giving oral sex to men who were circumcised, though this was not considered statistically significant.

How do I clean the bacteria and biofilms out of my mouth?

If you or someone you are kissing or giving/receiving oral sex to or from has been in contact with or has BV, you may like to do a mouth cleaning program along other Killing BV treatments. Instructions are detailed in the Killing BV (Vaginas) or Killing BV (Penises).

References

  1. 1.
    Petrushanko T, Shul’zhenko A, Krutikova E. [Condition of periodontal tissue in women with bacterial vaginosis]. Georgian Med News. 2014;(237):24-28. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25617096
  2. 2.
    Andrews W, Jeffcoat M, Schwebke J, Klebanoff M, Zhang J, Cliver S. Longitudinal study of vaginal flora: Increasing periodontal disease (PD) burden is associated with increased risk for bacterial vaginosis (BV). American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Published online December 2005:S186. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2005.10.750
  3. 3.
    Huck O, Tenenbaum H, Davideau J-L. Relationship between Periodontal Diseases and Preterm Birth: Recent Epidemiological and Biological Data. Journal of Pregnancy. Published online 2011:1-8. doi:10.1155/2011/164654
  4. 4.
    Zabor EC, Klebanoff M, Yu K, et al. Association between periodontal disease, bacterial vaginosis, and sexual risk behaviours. Journal of Clinical Periodontology. Published online July 15, 2010:888-893. doi:10.1111/j.1600-051x.2010.01593.x


Jessica Lloyd - Vulvovaginal Specialist Naturopathic Practitioner, BHSc(N)

Jessica is a degree-qualified naturopath (BHSc) specialising in vulvovaginal health and disease, based in Melbourne, Australia.

Jessica is the owner and lead naturopath of My Vagina, and is a member of the:

  • International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD)
  • International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH)
  • National Vulvodynia Association (NVA) Australia
  • New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society (ANZVS)
  • Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS)
SHARE YOUR CART