The Importance of Oral Microbiome for Overall Health
Microbiome of human, which include trillions of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, and viruses and other microbes, Those that inhabit human body, as a whole called microbiome, they play an important role in health. This also encompasses the oral microbiome, one of the body's largest and most diverse microbial ecosystems. The mouth has more than 700 varieties of bacteria: a perfectly balanced ecosystem of good and bad micros.
An emerging the limitless oral microbiome enhances digestion, protects against infections, and may drive the healthy value of many human organs. However, when the microbial community is out of balance, the result is dental diseases, gingivitis — and even serious systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and respiratory infections!
In this article we will cover the importance of the oral microbiome, what it means for overall health, and how you can support a balanced, thriving oral biome.
What is the Oral Microbiome?
The oral microbiome refers to the microorganisms present in different areas of the mouth, including:
✅ Teeth — They stick to the enamel and create plaque.
✅ Gums — One of the largest oral tissues, gums are the most affected by microbiome in terms of inflammation and health.
✅ Tongue — The upper surface of the tongue will harbor bacteria related to bad breath and eating.
✅ Saliva — Contains millions of microbes, helps breaking down food and preventing infection.
Good vs. Harmful Bacteria
There are good bacteria and bad bacteria in the oral microbiome:
✔ Good Bacteria: Break down the food, prevent damaging bacteria and support digestion.
❌Harmful Bacteria: Result in tooth decay, gum disease and infection due to a lack of oral hygiene or unhealthy diet.
Good balance of the oral microbiome leads to a healthier mouth and body while an imbalance in the microbiome can trigger many forms of disease from infections, inflammatory or even chronic disease.
Effects of the Oral Microbiome on Overall Health
1. Oral Microbiome and Gut Health
Oral health has long been thought of separately from general health, but the oral microbiome appears to act together with multi-organ systems. Here’s how:
Bad Digestion: Bad microorganisms could intervene with the absorption of the nutrients
Dysbiosis of the gut: Either harm caused to the mouth can allow pathogenic bacteria from the oral cavity to enter into the intestine and cause an imbalance of the gut microbiome.
Chronic inflammatory states: The oral microbiome has been connected with IBS and Crohn's disease, as well.
And a healthier oral microbiome also contributes to improved gut health and the microbiome in your gut, as well.
2. Linking the Oral Microbiome to Cardiovascular Health
Other independent studies link disease in the mouth with cardiovascular disease. Gingivitis takes away gums protection and harmful bacteria from the mouth enter the blood stream and cause systemic inflammation. This increases the risk of:
- Atherosclerosis (clogged arteries,)
- Heart attacks
- Stroke
Although scientists had previously detected other pathogens — notably, the bacteria E. coli, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Porphyromonas gingivalis (the latter causes gum disease) — in the arterial plaques of heart disease patients, the role of infections in heart disease remains controversial. A health mouth and a balanced oral ecosystem decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
3. Oral Microbiome and Diabetes
The bacteria that wreak havoc are nothing new, but since high blood sugar levels actually feed them, diabetics are more susceptible to gum disease (periodontitis). But the opposite is also true; this is, the relationship is a two-way street:
- Gum disease increases insulin resistance at the same time which complicates blood sugar control.
- It jumpstarts a cascade of inflammatory response that can as a result trigger metabolic disorder from oral infections.
Oral hygiene also help a diabetic individual to control blood sugar levels and prevent from complications.
4. Oral Microbiome and Brain Health
The bacteria that live in our mouths may take the opportunity to enter our blood circulation and reach to our brain as recent studies suggest. Beneficial bugs can also enter the blood system to stimulate neuroinflammation via the blood–brain barrier, which is thought to contribute to:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Dementia
- Cognitive decline
So, finding P. gingivalis in the brain of people who died with Alzheimer’s has prompted researchers to speculate an involvement of this and other oral bacteria, either in sporadic or hereditary neurodegenerative disease.
5. Oral Microbiome and Respiratory Health
Except the connection between mouth with lungs is there, so any oral germs can go straight to the breath system. An unbalanced oral microbiome which then results in a higher risk of:
- Pneumonia
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD
- Lung infections
Excessive mucus secretion causes breathing difficulty in people with poor dental hygiene, due to increased inhalation of bacteria. However, maintaining optimal oral hygiene can also help avert these infections.
Common Signs of a Neglected Oral Microbiome
Dysbiosis associated with the oral microbiome is responsible for numerous health issues. Here are some of the most common red flags:
🚨 Halitosis (Bad Breath) — Abundance of harmful bacteria
🚨 Cavities in bed — Although oral bacteria have a feast due to not-so-great dental hygiene, they actually, cook up some acid that leeches away enamel.
🚨 Gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) — bleeding swollen gums
🚨 Oesophageal disease – Indicate bacterial / fungal overgrowth
☠️ Dry mouth — No salivation disturbs the microbiome equilibrium.
These signs can prevent a serious health problem if we know them early.
Taking Care Of Your Oral Microbiome
The oral microbiome is significant for both oral and extra health, yet babysit the microbiome. Here are some key strategies:
1. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
✔ Brush two times a day with fluoride-free, antimicrobial toothpaste
Floss once a day to remove plaque as well as particles of food.
✔ Avoid using alcohol-based mouthwash as it also destroys healthy bacteria.
✔Scrape tongue to remove bacteria on the tongue.
2. Follow a Healthy Diet
The baselines of oral microbiome are affected by diet.
✅ Eat food containing probiotics — Yogurt, kefir, and also fermented veggies are healthful to healthy and balanced bacteria
✅ Avoid sugar and processed foods | Limit sugar and processed foods: Bacteria that cause cavities feed off of sugar.
✅ Stay Hydrated — Water flushes out bacteria and helps produce saliva.
✅ Add high-fiber foods – Foods rich in fiber, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are great for maintaining oral health.
3. Avoid Harmful Habits
➡️ Overuse of antibiotics — Prescribe antibiotics only when needed. Prescribing antibiotics can eradicate good mouth bacteria.
✅ Cut down on tobacco: Tobacco having a detrimental influence on the oral microbiome and increasing the chances of many diseases.
🛑 Reduce alcohol intake – Alcohol can dry out the mouth and kill the good bacteria.
4. Natural oral care products
Many of the OTC oral care products have a high levels of chemical activity that can displace the microbiome. Consider using:
✔Neem, tea tree oil, herbal toothpaste, natural antibacterial
✔ Using coconut oil to pull — A natural way to eliminate the harmful bacteria.
✔ Probiotic supplements taken orally — Maintain the balance of bacteria
5. Visit a Dentist Regularly
Frequent visit to the best dentist in Carmel helps you recognize early warning signs of imbalance in your mouth & will minimize the chances of any major symptoms. They can recommend cleanings or other treatments to help keep your mouth healthy.
Conclusion
The oral microbiome is a critical component of our microbiome, impacting digestion health, cardiovascular health brain health and immune health. A homeostasis or balanced microbiome thus not only protects against cavities, gum disease and systemic diseases but contributes to healthy ageing in general, this applies to the gut-, skin- or oral microbiome.
By maintaining healthy oral hygiene, incorporating a high-fiber plant-based diet, and abstaining from unhealthy behaviors you can promote a balanced oral microbiome and aid your health.
Mouth care → a whiter smile → an entire body is away from diseases → free from becoming ill!