Your mouth and gut may seem completely separate, but research shows they are more connected than you think. The health of your oral microbiome impacts your gut microbiome, and vice versa. Here at Whole Dental Wellness we want you to learn about the link between oral health and gut health, and how to promote wellness in both areas. Here's more information about the surprising connection between oral health and gut health. 

What Is The Connection Between The Mouth And The Stomach?

The mouth and stomach are connected through a complex microbiome relationship called the oral-gut axis. This allows microbes and their byproducts to move between the oral cavity and the gastrointestinal tract.

The oral microbiome, made up of more than 700 different species of bacteria in the mouth, and the gut microbiome, made up of trillions of bacteria in the digestive system, communicate bidirectionally along this pathway. Research shows the oral microbiome impacts the gut microbiome more than vice versa. When oral microbes spread to the gut microbiome, they can disrupt its balance. This exacerbates issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gut infections. However, gut microbes and GI problems like acid reflux can also migrate to the mouth, contributing to gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health issues.

Maintaining a balanced microbiome in both areas is crucial for overall health and wellness. An imbalance in one area, the mouth or gut, can have cascading effects on the microbial community in the other location. Practicing good oral hygiene and nurturing gut health with diet, lifestyle choices, and probiotic supplementation when needed, helps support harmony between the two microbial environments.

Can Dental Health Affect Digestive Health?

Yes, dental health absolutely impacts digestive health. Since the oral and gut microbiomes communicate and influence each other, imbalance in one area affects the other. For example, gum disease creates inflammation, and harmful oral bacteria can migrate to the gut. This disrupts the gut microbiome balance, potentially contributing to issues like inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome.

Conversely, acid reflux brings stomach acid into the mouth which erodes tooth enamel and irritates oral tissues. This increases the risk for cavities, gum disease, and other oral infections. Reflux can also exacerbate bad breath.

Other digestive problems like constipation, bloating, and cramps may be signs of gut dysbiosis. This imbalance between good and bad gut bacteria undermines immunity, including the body's ability to fight off harmful bacteria that cause gum disease and tooth decay. Since the oral-gut connection goes both ways, doing your best to maintain good dental hygiene and digestive health gives you the best chance for overall wellness. Be sure to see your dentist and doctor regularly to catch any issues early.

Is Gum Disease Linked To Poor Gut Health?

Research indicates that gum disease is associated with disruption of the gut microbiome. When gums become inflamed and infected, harmful oral bacteria gain access to the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. This includes spreading to the gastrointestinal tract. At the same time, inflammation in the gums causes the immune system to activate and produce inflammatory cytokines. These molecules, which modulate the immune response, circulate systemically and can impact tissues far from the original site of infection.

According to a study in Microorganisms, "The host immune-inflammatory response to periodontitis appears to negatively influence the gut microbiota composition, and the dysbiotic gut microbiota may contribute to exacerbating inflammation in periodontitis as well." This research suggests gum disease promotes a pro-inflammatory state that disrupts the normal gut flora balance. When combined with the migration of pathogens from the infected mouth to the GI tract, gum disease has the potential to significantly impact gut health.

What Is The Link Between Oral And Gut Health?

As mentioned earlier, the oral and gut microbiomes communicate bidirectionally along the oral-gut axis. When one area experiences dysbiosis or imbalance between good and bad bacteria, it affects the other habitat.

Some specific ways oral and gut health influence each other include:

• Harmful oral bacteria can migrate to the gut microbiome, causing infection and inflammation.
• Gut microbiome imbalance weakens immunity, undermining the body's ability to fight oral infections.
• Gum disease appears to create systemic inflammation that disrupts the gut microbiome.
• Acid reflux brings stomach acid into the mouth, increasing tooth decay risk.
• Poor oral hygiene allows overgrowth of bacteria that impact digestion.
• Diet and lifestyle factors affect microbial balance in both areas.

Maintaining good oral hygiene through brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings, as well as supporting gut health through diet, stress management, and medication if needed, minimizes disruption between the two areas.

Can Bad Oral Health Cause Gastritis?

Gastritis refers to inflammation or irritation of the stomach lining. While several factors can cause it, research indicates that poor oral health may increase the risk for developing gastritis.

One way is through the migration of harmful oral bacteria to the gut. Bacteria involved in gum disease, tooth decay, and oral infections can make their way to the stomach where they contribute to inflammation of the gastric lining. Oral health issues also produce systemic inflammation, as mentioned earlier. These inflammatory molecules circulating throughout the body may exacerbate existing gastric irritation.

Additionally, tooth loss from severe gum disease affects nutrition. This can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies that reduce the integrity of the stomach lining and increase susceptibility to gastritis. So, while bad oral health may not directly cause gastritis in all cases, it can certainly be a predisposing and contributing factor. That’s why caring for your teeth and gums is important for your whole-body health.

Protect Your Oral-Gut Connection

The link between oral health and gut health is multifaceted and more significant than many people realize. Focusing on good oral hygiene and a healthy gut-promoting lifestyle provides big benefits for your overall health and well-being. Pay attention to signs of possible oral-gut imbalance, and see your dentist and doctor regularly to catch issues early.

Are You Ready to Improve Your Oral Health? Let the Team at Whole Dental Wellness Help You!

By now, you understand that there is a connection between oral and overall health, and that maintaining oral health is key to good health overall. At Whole Dental Wellness, we can help you maintain great oral health as part of full-body wellness. Our comprehensive dental services, high-tech sterilization protocols, and experienced team set us apart. We build trusting relationships with patients and take time to explain every treatment.

To learn more about protecting your oral-gut connection through great dental care, contact our Birmingham or Roseville or office today to schedule an appointment!