Did you know that each day you swallow about 140 billion bacteria that seed your gastrointestinal tract with microbes from your mouth? We carry around trillions of microscopic bugs that live in and on our bodies. These microbes inhabit various parts of the body, including the skin, gastrointestinal tract (gut microbiome), and mouth (oral microbiome). Most people are familiar with the gut microbiome, as it is a highly discussed topic in health today, and the area where most of our microbes reside. However, keep in mind that the mouth is the primary entrance to the digestive system. Therefore, the oral microbiome is equally important and influences health or disease in many other bodily systems.
The oral microbiome, which also includes microbes in adjacent areas such as the nose and upper portions of the esophagus and lungs, is home to the second most diverse population of microbes in the body (the gut is number one).1 A well-documented link exists between the oral microbiome and heart disease, joint health, diabetes, and digestive disorders. Until now, the mouth has often been overlooked in discussions of health and chronic disease. We are exposed to potentially harmful bacteria every day. Still, when our mouth microbes are in good balance, they help us to form a strong defense against infection and illness. The primary point is that maintaining a healthy microbial balance in the mouth is essential for a healthy digestive tract and a robust immune system.
Many people today have heard of a condition called “leaky gut,” but you may now start hearing about “leaky gum,” a similar condition that occurs when the oral mucosa is damaged or weakened enough to allow potentially harmful bacteria into the bloodstream. This type of bacterial imbalance in the mouth is commonly associated with cavities, bad breath, gingivitis (gum inflammation), and periodontal disease. However, oral pathogens can colonize for life, leak into blood vessels, and circulate throughout the body, resulting in many systemic diseases elsewhere in the body. Since the oral mucosa is the weakest point for microbes to invade the body, leaky gum may be even more important than the leaky gut.2
Sanoviv has consistently emphasized the importance of oral health as a fundamental component of overall well-being. You can’t have a healthy body without having a healthy mouth. To support your population of mouth microbes, here are some things you can do:
- Practice regular daily oral hygiene (brush and floss at least twice a day). Ask your dental practitioner for proper instructions on technique, which is very important.
- Visit your dentist for professional dental hygiene at least twice a year (more frequent visits may be needed based on your individual oral condition).
- Avoid antibacterial toothpaste and those containing fluoride, which can disrupt the microbial balance in your mouth. Be cautious also with mouthwashes, as they can destroy your beneficial microbes. Consider natural oral health products.
- Learn to breathe more through your nose (mouth breathing can contribute to microbial imbalances in the oral microbiome).
- Consume probiotic-rich foods such as plain yogurt (unsweetened), sauerkraut, pickles (naturally fermented), kefir, kimchi, miso, and tempeh.
- Avoid processed sugar and refined carbohydrates, as these foods can contribute to an imbalance of the oral microbiome and increase the risk of oral diseases. A diet rich in fiber and vegetables benefits your microbiome because these foods are high in prebiotics (food for your beneficial microbes).
Currently, several models emphasize the importance of oral health for overall well-being, as well as the interconnection between the mouth and other bodily systems, emotions, the mind, and social determinants of health.3, 4, 5
Your oral microbiome is a remarkable product of interacting forces, including your microbes, immune system, genetics, and environment (diet and oral hygiene). Be sure to prioritize your oral care. For optimal health, you must take impeccable care of your magnificent mouth.