What is an Oral Microbiome?
Why does your oral health matter beyond having a nice smile? When you think about your own digestion (if you think about it at all), you probably picture something along the lines of your stomach growling when you get hungry. Maybe you might pay attention to your stomach making weird noises when it’s digesting a big meal you just ate. But here is a surprising fact: your digestion actually begins in your mouth. Your oral health plays a big role in your gut health. It is all tied to something called the oral microbiome.
More About Your Microbiome
Did you know your mouth is home to thousands of tiny residents? Your oral microbiome is made up of bacteria, fungi, and other fun microbes. You’ve probably heard about some of the bad bacteria that create cavities or gum disease. But there are good ones too! The helpful bacteria maintain a healthy balance in your mouth, help break down your food, and can even help protect your gut against harmful bacteria.
Your oral microbiome is the first stop on the digestive train. If things are off balance, the ripple effect can reach all the way down to your stomach.
How Does My Oral Microbiome Health Shape My Digestion?
- Saliva and Chewing – Before you swallow your first bite of food, your digestion has already started. While chewing breaks up your food into smaller pieces, the enzymes in your saliva have started breaking down the carbs. Your stomach has an even harder job breaking food down if your teeth or gums are in poor health. Chewing may also cause pain or sensitivity; therefore, you won’t chew your food well enough.
- What happens in your mouth doesn’t stay in your mouth! – Harmful bacteria from poor oral hygiene or gum disease can travel into your gut. Over time, these bacteria may disrupt the balance of your gut microbiome, leading to inflammation, bloating, and even more serious health issues.
- The Vicious Cycle – Your mouth and gut influence each other. As an example, if you have acid reflux, it can wear down your tooth enamel and cause irritation to your gums. At the same time, your poor oral health can sometimes worsen acid reflux symptoms, creating a cycle where one problem feeds the other.
Antibiotics and Other Medications Can Mess with Your Gut and Oral Health
Here’s how antibiotics and other medications cause harm to your microbiome;
- Antibiotics can have effects on your oral health by disrupting the good bacteria in your mouth, which can lead to oral thrush and other oral infections.
- Antibiotics can stop the growth or kill good bacteria in your gut. This can cause stomach pain, gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Prolonged use of these types of medications can lead to an increased risk of IBS, IBD, and other health issues.
To help stop these effects from antibiotics, take prebiotic and probiotic supplements, eat probiotic foods such as yogurt (must contain live cultures), kefir, kombucha, Sourkraut, Kimchi, Miso, cultured buttermilk, and also prebiotic foods such as legumes, honey, Chia and flax seeds, nuts, vegetables like leeks, asparagus, onions, garlic, some fruits like apples, berries, and bananas. It also helps to stay hydrated, limit processed foods, get plenty of rest, and stay active.
The Oral-Gut Feedback Loop
It’s not just a one-way street. A healthy/unhealthy gut can also affect your mouth. An unhealthy or imbalanced gut microbiome has been linked to issues such as gum inflammation, bad breath, and changes in your saliva. Basically, your mouth and your stomach are always “talking” to each other. So, keeping one healthy helps the other.
What are some daily habits you can do to have a healthy mouth and gut?
The good news is that a few simple daily habits will support your stomach and smile.
- Eat gut-friendly foods such as yogurt, kefir, fiber-rich veggies and fruits, and other foods with natural probiotics that can help balance your oral and gut microbiome health.
- Drink lots of water and stay hydrated, which helps your saliva production and keeps your digestive system running smoothly.
- Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption, as these habits can cause problems with the bacteria in your mouth and stomach.
- Limit the amount of sugary foods and drinks for the same reason listed above.
- Brush your teeth and floss daily as the helps the bad bacteria not be able to stick around in your mouth.
- Visit us (your dentist and hygienists) on a regular basis because regular teeth cleanings and checkups help you keep your oral microbiome in check.
The Big Healthy Oral Microbiome Picture
Your mouth isn’t just the gateway to your happy smile; it is also the gateway to your happy gut health. So, by taking care of your oral health, you’re also taking care of your digestive system. The next time you floss or brush your teeth, remember, you’re protecting your overall well-being.
Are you ready to give your smile and gut the care they deserve? Give us a call today to schedule your next appointment.
Functions of Your Oral Microbiome
1. Protect
Your beneficial bacteria help maintain a protective role when you have a balanced microbiome by keeping harmful bacteria in check. This supports the immune system and aids in the beginning stages of digestion.
2. Barrier
Your balanced oral microbiome acts as your first line of defense against germs and inflammation throughout your body.
3. Influence
- Research tells us that imbalances in your oral microbiome can lead to health issues and may cause problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and other infections.