How Your Gut Health Impacts Your Oral Health

Did you know that your oral health offers clues about your overall health? Our gut and oral cavity are the largest and second-largest microbiomes, in the human body. Together, the two microbiomes are linked to your overall health. Protect yourself by learning more about the connection between your oral health and how it can have a direct impact on your gut health and vice versa.

Your mouth is key to your overall health. Everything that you put into your mouth has an impact on your bodies well-being. If you want to have good gut health, it’s important to first look in the mouth. If you want to have good oral health, it is important to pay attention to what you are eating and how it is getting broken down.

Saliva is a major transporter of oral bacteria. Saliva helps keep your mouth hydrated and helps you break down and digest food. Oral bacterial travels with saliva throughout your body, including your gut. It is important to eat certain foods for a healthy mouth and gut microbe. A few foods to incorporate into your daily diet are yogurt, garlic, apples, onions, berries, oats, and citrus. Eating a diet that is rich in whole foods, helps to keep your gut bacteria thriving. Systems that often signal an unbalanced oral microbe induce bad breath, bleeding gums, mouth ulcers, and tooth decay. Pay attention to when you experience any of these issues and think back to what you ate. For example, sugary foods like candy and sweets can often cause ulcers to appear. Stress can also play a role in an unbalanced microbiome. Stress plays an important role in salivary function, as well as muscular control, and overall tooth and gum health. Stress can contribute to gridding your teeth. Constant grinding can wear down your enamel and cause your teeth to become sensitive. Try to incorporate yoga and mediation to improve your breathing and stress levels.

Contact Belvedere Family Dentistry at 704-927-5499 to schedule your next dental exam and cleaning. If you have any questions about the impact poor oral health can have on your overall health, feel free to ask any member of our team during your next visit.