Learn about the surprising connection between oral health and gut health. We explore the link between gum disease and digestive problems, and provide tips for improving both your oral and gut health.

While somewhat of a wellness buzzword, gut health is not a fad. With our immune system and its connection to both the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain, it is an important component of our well-being. “The gut microbiome is a collection of billions of microorganisms and is essential to your health because it serves many different functions, including regulating digestion and metabolism, housing a large part of the immune system, and aiding in the production of hormones and vitamins.” , and much more,” a licensed naturopathic doctor, Dr. Rachel Crowley says

While eating the right foods for gut health and taking probiotics are important aspects of supporting the proper microbiome balance within the gut, there’s something else we need to consider when thinking about what’s going on in our gastrointestinal tract. And that’s oral health.

microbiome

Just as there is a gut microbiome, there is also an oral microbiome, which Dr. Crowley says is also a collection of microorganisms. “The situation is similar as the oral microbiome requires a balanced and diverse flora, and a balance between good and bad microflora must be maintained [or else] There can be an overgrowth of harmful bacteria that causes damage to the mouth and teeth, such as gum disease and tooth decay, as well as affecting overall health.

Keeping all these things in mind, Dr. Crowley says that the mouth is like the gatekeeper of digestive health and apart from keeping gums and teeth healthy, gut health also plays an important role as it actually plays a role in digestive health. is the beginning of. Digestive System. Although we don’t often think of the microbiome of the mouth and gut as interconnected, bacteria in the mouth can influence gut bacteria. And, when it comes to the top two places where microbes live in the body, Dr. Lana Butters, a board-certified naturopath, nutritionist, and acupuncturist says the oral cavity, which includes the gums, front of the tongue, and teeth, And the oropharynx (tonsils, back of the tongue, and throat) is actually a close runner up to the gastrointestinal tract, so its balance and health definitely deserves as much attention as the gut itself. “To the untrained eye, these two seemingly separate systems are actually physically connected in what we refer to as the alimentary canal,” Dr. Butters explains. “This canal is virtually the entire route that food travels through, so maintaining microbiome balance is important for health and proper functioning of both, as one greatly influences the other.”

Ahead, we explore oral health and what it means for gut health, as well as the benefits of a healthy mouth and gut and how it factors into overall well-being.

The connection between oral health and gut health

The oral microbiome is an ecosystem of microorganisms that, when balanced and free of bad bacteria, can promote healthy gums and overall strong oral health. With that being said, when it’s unbalanced and bad bacteria get involved, Dr. Crowley says oral bacteria is linked to systemic diseases because the bacteria can easily spread throughout the body in a few different ways. The first, of course, occurs through swallowing saliva. The second is through the bloodstream through an opening in the gum. “Once [bad] Once oral bacteria reaches the gut, it can cause an imbalance in the gut microbiome leading to dysbiosis, inflammation and systemic health problems,” says Dr. Crowley says. She notes that some studies suggest that oral pathogens may actually alter the oral microbiome and, therefore, the gut microbiome as well.

Doctor. The reason that oral health has an impact on gut health is because “whatever may be negative at the beginning of the alimentary canal will undoubtedly have downstream effects,” Butler says. For example, gingivitis—which is a build-up of bacteria and plaque on the teeth and gums—can cause bleeding and small holes within the gums that allow bacteria and other microbes to enter the systemic circulation and, therefore, Not only does this negatively impact gut health but other areas of concern including heart health. “Another example we see frequently in the clinic is thrush, which is an overgrowth of Candida albicans (fungus) on the tongue and the inside of the cheeks or the back of the throat,” says Dr. Butters said. “When we see thrush, we have a pretty good idea that Candida is prevalent within the system and we need to work on eliminating the source.” While Candida is common in the body, an overgrowth of the fungus can lead to large intestinal concerns, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Tips for Improving Gum Health and Gut Health

Improving gut health starts with the gums (and the mouth in general). Here are all the ways you can support a healthy gut microbiome through oral hygiene and lifestyle changes.

floss

There’s a reason dentists recommend regular flossing. This practice can not only keep teeth and gums clean but can also help prevent gum health concerns such as gingivitis, which can directly affect the gut microbiome. Dr. Butters acknowledges that some people may feel too busy to floss but stresses that it is the first step toward a healthier mouth and gut. She recommends using flossing sticks for a more accessible approach to flossing because they make it possible to floss while doing other activities.

water flossing

Might be better to use a water pick with flossing. Doctor. “It’s fascinating to see what comes out of your mouth with this concentrated high-pressure water stream even after you’ve brushed,” says Butters. “Using one of these is a complete game changer and will instantly transform you.”

oil pulling with coconut oil

“Coconut oil is antimicrobial and, by swishing coconut oil around in your mouth for three to ten minutes at a time, the oil is able to bind bacteria to some hard-to-reach crevices within your oral cavity. Your toothbrush’s bristles can’t reach,” Dr. Buttner explains. He also brushes after oil pulling to make sure bacteria is completely removed from your mouth (and to get rid of the greasiness on the teeth). advises to do.

mouth tape

Mouth taping is exactly what it sounds like – taping the mouth shut and keeping it that way while you sleep. This viral TikTok trend is one of Dr. Butters’ favorite health hacks because it “helps increase blood flow to the brain with cognition, energy, focus, and mental clarity.” However, there’s also an oral health component, as keeping your mouth closed while you sleep can keep enough moisture in the mouth, which Dr. “The microbiome is key to balance,” says Butters.

limit sugar intake

Cutting down on sugar isn’t just about preventing cavities. Dr. Crowley recommends this oral hygiene tip because sugar can “reduce diversity in the oral microbiome and increase dysbiosis in the gut microbiome,” which affect both oral and gut health.

take helpful supplements

Vitamins and minerals can also affect the gut and oral microbiome, which is why Dr. Crowley recommends adding vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc to your health regimen. “Vitamin C plays an important role in the immune system, improving gum health as a lack of vitamin C can lead to gum inflammation and bleeding,” she explains. Vitamin D also supports the immune system, and zinc actually aids in both oral and gut health. “Zinc can help maintain healthy gums and reduce the risk of developing periodontal disease,” says Dr. Crowley. “It plays a role in gut health because it also improves the intestinal barrier.”

Benefits of a Healthy Mouth and Gut

Overall, the benefits of a healthy mouth and gut go beyond simply ensuring that both of these systems perform at peak levels – they ensure that vital functions such as the immune system can be enhanced as well. When oral health deteriorates, the gut can get affected very easily as the two are linked to each other. And, when gut health is compromised, everything from immune function to cognitive health can be thrown out of balance. Not to mention: The gut is important in proper nutrient absorption, fat storage and blood sugar regulation. When the gut is out of balance, the skin (which is the largest organ in the body and can often show imbalances within the body) can react as well, causing dry skin, acne, eczema, inflammation, and more.

The great thing about maintaining oral and gut health is that the two are related to each other and therefore, you should be able to target both through simple oral hygiene practices such as proper flossing and oil pulling as well as targeted nutrients such as taking supplements. that support the health of the gut and oral microbiome. Moral of the story: Happy gums equal a happy gut.