Impacts of Oral Health on Overall Health

Have you ever considered the role your mouth plays in your overall health? As a Holistic Nutritionist, I spend a good amount of time talking about gut health but did you know that our mouths have a microbiome as well?

 In researching our gut microbiome (the organisms that reside in our gut) I couldn’t help but consider our mouths, I mean it is how food, bacteria, and more enter our systems.  

Our mouth is the doorway to the rest of our body.

This is true for our nourishment and sustenance, hydration, and especially the access point of bacteria, or… what feeds the bad bacteria.

Our body has an amazing ability to kill pathogens, neutralize bacterial threats, and begin the process of digestion. 

But what happens when our mouths are not healthy and how does our oral health become compromised, to begin with?

How does an unhealthy mouth impact our overall health?

Having good oral hygiene is a large part of our oral health but even more so are our dietary choices. The health of our mouth is affected by what it is exposed to and therefore our microbiome is disrupted, or balanced by dietary intake. 

How Excess Carbohydrates Affect Oral Health

We all know that too much sugar is terrible for our teeth. These are the obvious culprits that we grow up hearing about but what about excess carbohydrates? But when we say “sugar” we must consider what turns into sugar in our body.

Excess carbohydrates turn into a type of sugar and having too much can lead to a lot of oral health issues that impact our overall health.

• Tooth Decay: Oral bacteria feed on sugars and produce acids that attack tooth enamel which can lead to tooth decay or cavities. 
• Gum Disease: Diets high in carbohydrates, especially simple sugars, can contribute to the development and progression of gum disease. Bacteria in the mouth thrive on sugars, leading to plaque formation. Plaque buildup can irritate and inflame the gums, eventually leading to gum disease if not properly addressed.
• Acidic Environment: Carbohydrates, especially refined sugars and starches, can lower the pH in the mouth, creating an acidic environment. This acidity can erode tooth enamel, making teeth more susceptible to decay and sensitivity.
• Dental Erosion: Acidic foods and drinks, often high in carbohydrates, can directly contribute to dental erosion. This erosion gradually wears away the enamel, weakening the teeth and making them more prone to damage and sensitivity.
• Overall Oral Health: Diets high in carbohydrates, especially processed sugars, can contribute to overall poor oral health. This can manifest as bad breath, an increased risk of oral infections, and a higher likelihood of developing other oral health issues.

Relationship of Oral Health and Overall Health

The connection between oral health and overall health is quite fascinating! Several studies have highlighted the relationship between oral health and various diseases in the body. Here are some connections worth noting:

Inflammation from periodontal disease (gum disease) may be the catalyst for conditions like:

1. Heart Disease: Research suggests that periodontal disease (gum disease) might be linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. The exact cause-effect relationship isn’t fully understood, but it’s thought that the inflammation from periodontal disease may contribute to narrowing of the arteries.
2. Diabetes: Diabetes and oral health have a bidirectional relationship. People with diabetes are more prone to gum disease, and gum disease can make it harder to control blood sugar levels, potentially worsening diabetes.
3. Respiratory Infections: Poor oral health can lead to bacteria in the mouth that can be aspirated into the lungs, potentially causing respiratory infections like pneumonia, especially in individuals with compromised immune systems.
4. Arthritis: Some studies suggest a correlation between gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis. The exact link isn’t clear, but inflammation might be a common factor.

The Best Oral Healthcare Products Anyone Can Use

Just as our Gut has a microbiome that we need to support so does our oral microbiome. After visiting a Holistic Dentist I was made aware of products to support my oral health that I quickly added to our family’s oral care routine.

*This post may contain several affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and Walmart Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you read disclosures.

Did you know that there are probiotics for your mouth?

My husband has been using this one for a few months but it does have dairy. These little tablets dissolve in your mouth after you brush your teeth, and that’s it, the good bacteria goes to work.

If you need a dairy free alternative: Here’s a Dairy Free dental probiotic

Keeping your gums healthy and irrigated from plaque buildup is vital in order to protect your gums and bloodstream from bad bacteria. We have been using this wireless Waterpik.

It’s simple to use all you need is water and peroxide, charge it up and that’s it. We have been using it for a couple months and have not had to charge it yet.

It also has several attachments and takes just a few minutes to use each night. We were told to use the number 2 setting and it certainly is powerful! Your mouth has that clean feeling as if you went to the dentist for a cleaning, well, almost.

I’m still a huge fan of this Lumineux toothpaste because it’s non-toxic and truly whitens my teeth without any sensitivity. We also use floss picks after each meal and I love to keep some in my bag since it’s pretty convenient. These are interdental soft pics are great for cleaning between the teeth, especially the gum line.

Oral health impacts overall health

Not only does oral health impact overall health it is also an area that we can support our microbiome as well. Toxins also play a role in killing good (beneficial) bacteria. It’s important to eat a diet that has less toxins in the form of toxic chemicals and preservatives as well.

Our body is connected to every other part of the body, it is an interdependent system and looking at your health, and body holistically is a great place to start.

For more of my favorite non-toxic wellness products check out this video.

For more Holistic wellness check out the blog, the Style and Stewardship Podcast and the YouTube Channel.