Happy Mouth, Happy You š
We tend to think of the mouth as a separate entity, not connected to other areas of our body. But, the mouth is not an isolated āorganā; it is deeply connected to our entire bodily system.
Our mouth is a major pathway that introduces either nutritious or toxic substances to the body. Itās a fact, that what we put in our mouth willenter our body.
Today Iād like to shed some light on the fact that, not only is the saying true that, āWe are what we eatā. But poor oral health can affect your entire body; and visa-versa, the issues within our body can also affect the health our mouths. So, when we talk about health and wellness, we need to always consider our oral health as an important part of the picture.
Before we get started, hereās a link to last weekās newsletter on āHealthy Travel, getting ready and staying healthy while you are having FUN", if you missed it, you can read it click Here.
OK, read on for more about the connection between your mouth and body, warning signs, and a few simple dietary and oral care tips.
Healthy Mouth, Healthy You! š
Oral Health is a mirror into your Overall Health
Health begins with a well-functioning gut. The mouth is the door to the digestive system, the first place that will be impacted by pathogens or poor lifestyle choices. For example, bacteria in your mouth can spread throughout the entire gut and travel to the whole body.
In fact, research has identified multiple connections between oral health and chronic disease. For example, gum disease is correlated with insulin resistance, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimerās disease, and even poor pregnancy outcomes.
The reason why we see these connections is because the mouth is the first step in the digestive process. Being the gatekeeper of the gut, this means it is also intricately connected to the immune system.
When the bacteria in the mouth are well balanced, they can protect us from disease and support good digestion. But, if the microbiome in the mouth is out of balance, this can spread throughout the gut and the entire body. A bacterial imbalance in the gut can also spread into the mouth.
This three way connection between the gut, mouth, and immune system is why maintaining oral health is so important to overall health.
Signs of Poor Oral Health
The mouth is easy to examine, therefore it may be the first area where signs of disease or imbalance are identified. It is important to know what signs to look for that may be an indication of a deeper problem. Here are a few common symptoms that may indicate an underlying illness. If you have any of these signs, speak to me.
Too little saliva: Saliva helps wash away bad bacteria and reduces damage caused by acid in the mouth. Inadequate saliva can make it difficult to swallow and digest food properly, leading to possible nutrient deficiencies.
Bad breath: Chronic bad breath can be caused by dry mouth, digestive disease, liver or kidney problems, sinus infections, and lung infections.
Pale gums: Gums that are not pink might indicate anemia or inadequate red blood cells in the body. Anemia can be caused by blood loss, chronic disease, or certain nutrient deficiencies.
Changes to the color of the tongue: A white, red, or black tongue may be a sign of an underlying illness, nutritional deficiency, or bacterial imbalance.
Irritated, red gums: If your gums bleed easily during brushing or flossing, this can be a sign of hormone fluctuations or other inflammatory chronic diseases.
Gum inflammation: When irritation turns into full blown inflammation in the mouth, this is when pathogenic bacteria may be taking over. Gingivitis is reversible gum inflammation, whereas periodontitis is irreversible. This can lead to a receding gum line, permanent dental damage, or systemic bacterial imbalance.
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that that 46% of US adults had periodontitis. If you include those with gingivitis, the rate is more like 94%. Inflammation of the gums is an epidemic that is significantly impacting our countryās overall health. Read more about the study, here.
Diet and Oral Health
Just like the rest of your body, your mouth thrives on good nutrition. An unhealthy diet loaded with caffeine, sugar, and processed foods will not support the health of your mouth or body. Inflammatory foods, such as dairy and gluten, can also exacerbate inflammation of the mouth.
A nutritious diet also supports the balance of bacteria in the mouth and provides crucial vitamins and minerals needed for good health. Teeth and gums are living tissues that need nourishment just like any other tissue in the body.
Any diet should be tailored to an individualās unique needs and preferences. But, in general, here are some of the foods to avoid for optimal oral health:
Sugar
Processed foods
Inflammatory foods such as gluten, dairy, corn
Artificial sweeteners
Processed meats
Alcohol
High sugar fruits.
MSG
Refined vegetable oils
On the flip side, here are the foods you should include in your diet to support optimal oral health:
Vegetables & greens: such as kale, spinach and broccoli
Organic fruits and vegetables, when possible
Omega-3s rich foods such as wild caught fish
Healthy fats from avocado, coconut oil, olive oil, ghee, soaked nuts and seeds.
Herbs and spices.
The Best Vitamins & Minerals for Oral Health
Supplements arenāt always necessary for everyone, but here are a few that may be beneficial for oral health. Speak to me about getting a personalized recommendation before taking supplements. All of these important vitamins and minerals for oral health can also be found in the well-balanced diet described above.
Vitamin A. Found in egg yolks and dark green leafy vegetables. Not all people can convert beta carotene, the plant-based form of the vitamin into active vitamin A, so they may need a supplement.
Vitamin D. A common deficiency in our modern times. Plays a role in bone and tooth health.
Vitamin K2. Helps deposit calcium and other mineral into bones and teeth.
Vitamin C. Necessary for healthy gums and tissues, as well as wound healing.
Magnesium. Found in dark green vegetables, important mineral for teeth.
Calcium. Keeps teeth strong.
Zinc. Helps heal any wounds in the mouth.
Oral Care Tips
Focusing just a few minutes a day on oral care can help you maintain your dental health. Here are a few tips to keep your mouth clean and healthy:
Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush. Ideally, first thing in the morning and before bed.
Consider an electric toothbrush. Two that I like are Sonicare and Oral B Electric.
Use a non-fluoridated toothpaste as fluoride is a neurotoxin.
Avoid harmful toothpaste ingredients such as: sodium lauryl sulfate, glycerin, triclosan, blue & red dyes, and artificial sweeteners.
Floss or brush with interproximal brushes, such as Soft-Picks and Proxabrush. Hereās a great article on Flossing!
Brush your tongue twice a day.
Avoid harsh antimicrobial rinses, which can kill even the good bacteria in our mouths. Consider oil pulling with coconut oil occasionally as a natural antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal mouth rinse.
THE BOTTOM LINE
"Poor oral health can cause disease in our body; good oral care, on the other hand, can protect us and promote optimal health and wellness. ā
I truly believe that oral health doesnāt get enough attention when it comes to how it reflects in our overall wellness. We have enough evidence however, to know how deeply oral health is connected to our overall health.
No one is perfect, but just like we all know the importance of healthy eating, movement, sleep, and stress management, we need to remember to also consider the health of our mouth every day.
To optimize your oral health, consider working with a functional doctor and dentist who understand the mouth/body connection and the role of a healthy diet. A functional dentist will also avoid toxic products and procedures that are still common in modern dentistry. A great functional medicine/dental team can impact not just your mouth, but your entire well-being.
If you are concerned about how your health may be affecting your mouth, or visa-versa; Iād suggest making an appointment with me in the office to take a look. You may need to see a functional dentist (which I can give you a list of good ones in the area) or it may be something more bodily related. Feel free to contact me and make your appointment using this link: HERE.
Or, you can always give us a call at (973) 210-3838
I want to hear from you! What concerns to you have about Oral Health and how it is connected to your Body? Did you find this newsletter helpful?
Share your thoughts in the comments on our
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