Oral Health and its Important Connection to Your Gut Health
One of the most important shifts in healthcare and modern dentistry is the connection of your oral health to your whole-body health. Our mouth is not a separate entity, but the gateway to our body and the digestive system. This continuous system influences our health by digestion of nutrients, balance of good/bad bacteria and inflammation. The oral health microbiome feeds the gut microbiome; thus, a healthy mouth is a healthy body.
Oral infections don’t always stay local. Infections and chronic inflammation can cause systemic conditions leading to health conditions such as:
· Cardiovascular Disease
· Obesity/Metabolism
· Diabetes
· Dementia
· Rheumatoid Arthritis
· Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Let’s look at the details:
Your mouth contains hundreds of bacteria species, both good and bad. Diet and oral hygiene will determine the level of good or bad bacteria we swallow. Too much bad bacteria leads to potential health issues such as:
Inflammation, which may travel beyond the mouth and spread through the bloodstream influencing gut lining health ,contributing to digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.
Misaligned teeth, broken or missing teeth and painful teeth cannot break down food properly or efficiently. Large food particles affect gut comfort and nutrient absorption.
Oral bacteria (when overgrown) disrupt the gut microbial balance and the digestive system robbing the body or rich nutrients needed to maintain healthy organs.
Conversely, gut health can also work impact the health of your mouth. Acid reflux can erode tooth enamel. Nutrient deficiencies may impact your gum health and gut related inflammation may present its self as oral symptoms.
It’s now known and well-supported that oral bacteria are swallowed and interact with the gut. Gum disease leads to systemic inflammation. Chewing efficiency impacts digestion. Research is continuing to explore direct causation between oral bacterium and specific gut diseases and if oral health can reverse gut conditions.
Maintain your oral health by brushing, flossing and cleaning your tongue. Drink water after eating and stay hydrated to support salvia and digestion. Treat gum disease early. Eat a healthy diet and chew food thoroughly to aid in digestion. Discuss digestive issues with your dentist. Keeping oral bacteria balanced and gums healthy isn’t just about your teeth, but rather about whole-body health. Plainsboro Dentalcare is accepting new patients. Call today 609-799-4422 to schedule your appointment.