Expanding the Metchnikoff postulate: oral health is crucial in a successful global aging management strategy.

The mouth offers a unique opportunity for the physician and dental hygienist to evaluate and monitor a number of early nutritional-related diseases and vitamin deficiencies in still-healthy people. Increasing evidence suggests that periodontal disease might be associated with several systemic diseases (diabetes, immunosuppression, obesity, hormonal changes). Conversely, oral/periodontal disease might be the perpetuating factor or possibly the trigger of chronic illnesses via the activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines from monocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the sub-gingival biofilm and oral microbiome unbalance. Office-based microbiological and susceptibility genomic testing in the oral cavity (e.g., BACTOdent-DENTYgen, 4P-Genomics, Luxembourg) are expected to be widespread tools in a global approach for an age-management strategy connecting oral health and personalized solutions.