YOUR 2025 BRAIN BRAWN • MINI RESOLUTION THE GUT MICROBIOME • WEEK 2

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YOUR 2025 BRAIN BRAWN • MINI RESOLUTION
THE GUT MICROBIOME • WEEK 2

 

The relationship between oral health and overall health is an area of increasing interest among researchers and clinicians. 40 years ago, a relationship was observed between atherosclerosis and alveolar bone loss (the disappearance of bone tissue in tooth sockets).
 
We now know that a relationship exists between oral health and systemic conditions—such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), bacteremia/endocarditis, pneumonia, gastritis, rheumatic arthritis (RA), cancer, liver and kidney disease, and dementia.


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Oral Health and The GMB

As the entry point for the digestive system, oral bacteria can translocate to the GMB, impacting the flora and health. This finding surprised researchers who had assumed bacteria from the oral cavity could not survive the acidic nature of the stomach. The Human Microbiome Project has discovered oral bacteria in the stool of almost half of all studied subjects. The relationship between the oral cavity and the gut is known as the oral-gut microbiome axis. An imbalance of bacteria in the oral cavity trending towards pathology (periodontal disease, caries, cancer, thrush) is known as oral dysbiosis.


While the relationship between oral health and cardiovascular health was established 40 years ago, the connection between oral health and cognitive health is a relatively new area of exploration—and the GMB is the bridge between the two. Preliminary studies have shown:

• Bacterial species typically found in the gut also appear in the mouths in demented patients (translocation has been found to be bi-directional).
• Having a history of periodontal disease increases the risk of developing dementia. The more severe the periodontal disease, the higher the risk.
• Bacteria associated with periodontal disease (P. gingivalis) has been found in the post-mortem brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

 
It is possible the relationship is as straight forward as to say that those with neurodegenerative conditions or cognitive impairment are less likely to maintain their oral health. But it is also possible that oral dysbiosis contributes to inflammatory mediators or that oral bacteria translocate to the brain. Both theories can potentiate neuro-inflammation. Time will tell as studies continue.

Clearly, there is much we are still learning about the relationship between oral health, the GMB and systemic conditions/diseases. One thing we know for sure is that maintaining oral health is crucial to our overall health.
 
Proper oral health maintenance includes:

• Daily brushing and flossing. A soft brush is your go-to on this one. A hard toothbrush is not a friend to your gums and enamel. Consider adding a water pick if you have the counterspace for it.
• Tongue scraping
• Replacing your toothbrush every three months or if you have been sick
• Visiting your dental hygienist at least twice a year, more often if indicated or recommended
• Replacing missing teeth or broken filings
• Addressing bruxism (teeth grinding) either with a mouth guard created by your dentist or by injecting Botox into the masseter muscles
• Identifying xerostomia (dry mouth), which is a common side effect of many medications
• Quitting smoking if you are a smoker

 
 
So, refresh your toothbrush and check with your dental hygienist for when you are due to be seen next, then test your dental health knowledge with this quiz:




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