Recent research suggests a strong connection between oral health and the gut. This should come as no surprise when you consider your mouth contains over 700 different microbes. And every time you swallow some of those microbes make their way to your stomach and gut.
A huge volume of research evidence shows the connection between your gut and your overall health. And emerging evidence makes the case for oral health and the gut to become a key consideration in the state of your health.
Second only to the gut microbiome in size, the oral microbiome contains dense communities of microbes called biofilms. According to some research, the bacteria that make up the majority of the microbes in biofilms are also associated with chronic illness.
And all of these bacteria can access your gut through the digestive tract.
Fortunately, your gut protects your body from invasion by pathogens because of the lining of endothelial cells in your gut. Other protective mechanisms include stomach acid, probiotic bacteria, and immune cells.
However, some mouth bacteria still can survive all of these mechanisms and reach your gut. This highlights the importance of the connection between oral health and the gut. One particular type of mouth bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis, can survive the acid in your stomach and cause significant changes in your gut microbiome decreasing the integrity of the gut barrier.
When these mouth bacteria access your gut, they can cause an imbalance between the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria already there. Called ‘dysbiosis’, this imbalance can bring on a small intestine bacterial overgrowth, SIBO, that can then lead to a weakening of the junctions between the endothelial cells lining your gut.
This condition, called ‘leaky gut’, allows pathogens to enter your bloodstream and the rest of your body. Once this happens, your immune system becomes activated to fight the foreign invaders. In a case where more and more of these foreign invaders move through the gut lining, your immune system may become hyperactive in its attempts at protecting your body. A hyperactive immune system means dramatically increased inflammation. This forms the basis for autoimmune conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
IBD is an umbrella term that includes a number of autoimmune conditions focused on the large intestine. Chronic inflammation drives this family of autoimmune conditions. This type of inflammation results from a hyperactive immune system triggered by gut dysbiosis.
Recent research supports the connection between oral health and the gut in the development of IBD. One pathway of action involves periodontitis increasing certain types of bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria can then access the gut and directly trigger inflammation.
In healthy individuals, a likewise healthy gut microbiome can fight off these bacteria. However, in people with other health conditions such as autoimmunity or Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS), an already weakened microbiome can’t deal with these bacteria. As a result, the risk of developing SIBO and ‘leaky gut’ increases along with increased activation of the immune system and inflammation.
Another pathway for the development of inflammation in your gut involves activating increased production of immune T cells in your oral cavity by gum disease bacteria. These T cells then can access your gut and increase inflammation.
The research findings emphasize the importance of the connection between oral health and the gut. On the other hand, the findings did not support oral disease as the sole cause of inflammation in the gut. However, oral health and the gut play a major role in the development of inflammation that then becomes the foundation for some chronic health conditions.
With a pre-existing dysregulation of the gut microbiome, such as can occur in AFS, the risk of increased IBD symptoms rises dramatically.
Another autoimmune condition, RA, finds its beginnings in inflammation exacerbated by the connection between oral health and the gut. Research shows the mechanism of the destruction of connective tissue seen in both oral disease and RA to be similar.
This mechanism begins with increased inflammation triggered by an overactive immune system. In the same vein as IBD, a pre-existing condition leading to dysbiosis of the gut lies at the root of this triggering.
Adrenal fatigue happens when you suffer from the effects of chronic stress. When stress from any source hits your body, a mechanism called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis becomes activated. The endpoints of the axis, your adrenal glands, produce and release cortisol as a way to fight the effects of stress. However, continuing stress that becomes chronic overburdens your adrenals to the point that they can no longer produce sufficient cortisol. This forms the foundation of AFS. Although symptoms may start as vague, the longer they continue, the more serious they become.
If your adrenals can no longer deal adequately with stress, another mechanism, the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) Stress Response, becomes activated. The NEM consists of six circuits made up of three organs or organ systems each that work in an inter-related manner to counter the effects of stress. Normally, these six circuits help keep your body in homeostasis. However, if the stress continues and becomes chronic, they can become dysregulated, leading to significant symptoms. The circuits work to regulate every aspect of your health.
There are several steps you can take to improve your oral health and the gut microbiome. They include the following:
A dry mouth becomes a wonderful breeding ground for unhealthy bacteria that can then impact your gut. During the day, most people breathe through their noses with their mouths closed. However, during sleep, many breathe with their mouths open.
One way to deal with dry mouth caused by sleeping with your mouth open involves taping your mouth closed. You can buy tape especially for this. Using regular household tape can lead to injury.
Another way to improve the connection between oral health and the gut is by eating more foods containing prebiotic fibers. Found chiefly in vegetables, these fibers feed the good bacteria in your gut. Some foods that fall into this category include:
Only a few servings a day of these foods will help nourish the microbiota of your mouth and gut.
Most dentists tell you to brush and floss every day. This helps support the connection between your oral health and the gut.
The plaque that dentists remove from your teeth consists partially of bacterial biofilms. These biofilms work to protect the bacteria in your mouth. Brushing and flossing break down the biofilms and prevent the buildup that leads to health problems.
Conventional mouthwash kills both the good and bad bacteria in your mouth. Using it is like regularly taking antibiotics. Both of them do not discriminate among the types of bacteria they kill.
Oil pulling may provide a better way to improve the connection between oral health and the gut. In this procedure, you swish a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth for twenty minutes a day. It promotes the diversity of bacteria in your oral microbiota and reduces inflammation in your mouth.
If you would rather use a conventional mouthwash, find one with an aloe vera base rather than alcohol or chlorhexidine.
There is much research on the connection between your gut and your health. Current research now shows the same kind of connection between oral health and the gut.
This means the state of your oral health affects your gut, and therefore your overall health, significantly. Research shows an association between oral health and several chronic illness conditions, such as IBD and RA.
Inflammation appears likely to be the foundation for these types of conditions.
Unhealthy bacteria in your mouth can increase inflammation both directly and indirectly. Therefore, doing all you can to promote your oral health will decrease this inflammation.
If you suffer from poor oral health and its consequences, here are a few things you can do to help alleviate the situation:
Whatever course of action you take, however, please do so with the guidance of your healthcare professional who will help you determine which option will help you the most.
If you would like to know more about the connection between oral health and the gut, the team at Dr. Lam Coaching can help. We offer a free** no-obligation phone consultation at +1 (626) 571-1234 where we will privately discuss your symptoms and various options. You can also send us a question through our Ask The Doctor system by clicking here.
Research shows that the connection between oral health and the gut is significant. Through the process of swallowing, many bacteria from your mouth transfer to your gut. If these bacteria are unhealthy, they can increase the inflammation in your gut which can lead to chronic conditions.
