Gabriela Riscuta, Anil Wali, Emmanuel F Mongodin, Mukesh Verma, Marco Cardone, Hye-Sook Kim, Tamara McNealy, Altaf Mohammed
Previously considered primarily only in the context of dental diseases, the oral microbiome is now recognized as a contributor to a variety of systemic diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases. This commentary explores the evolving view of the oral cavity as a gateway to the body's broader physiologic networks, implicating oral microbiome dysbiosis in a spectrum of chronic conditions. Drawing on current evidence, we propose a re-envisioned healthcare model that integrates oral and systemic health and outline research gaps and clinical priorities to harness the oral microbiome for preventive and therapeutic gains, emphasizing cancer-relevant biomarkers and intervention opportunities.