Fig. 1

Potential mechanisms for the mouth–gut–disc axis. Oral microorganisms are the main cause of the occurrence of periodontitis. In the meanwhile, alterations in the microbiome composition in the periodontium are causing the modulation of gut microbiota translocation and composition, increasing intestinal permeability and inflammation and modifying metabolite absorption. Microorganisms, related inflammatory cytokines, and metabolites are the potential essential mechanisms for leading intervertebral disc degeneration and endplate changes