YOUR MINI RESOLUTION BRAIN BRAWN • WEEK 5

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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 (in tooth sockets). Now we know that a relationship exists between oral health and systemic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), bacteremia/endocarditis, pneumonia, gastritis, rheumatic diseases, cancer, liver and kidney disease and dementia.


CCP helps you stay on track!
 
Use our log to track your progress toward our mini resolution. This month, we’re looking to eliminate added sugars from our diets!
 
For questions or assistance, email your Motivated Mondays Coach Michele McCambridge:  
[email protected]

 
ORAL HEALTH

 
As the entry point for the digestive system, oral bacteria can translocate to the gut microbiome (we do a deep dive on the microbiome in October), impacting the flora in the gut microbiome (GMB) 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 (NIH Human Microbiome Project - About the Human Microbiome (hmpdacc.org)) 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. 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 patients with dementia (translocation has been found to be bi-directional).

 

• A history of periodontal disease increases the risk of developing dementia. The more severe the periodontal disease, the higher the risk. It is theorized that inflammatory mediators from periodontal disease weaken the integrity of the blood-brain barrier.

 

• Bacteria associated with periodontal disease (P. gingivalis) has been found in the post-mortem brains of Alzheimer’s patients. P. gingivalis has been shown to act directly on the immune cells of the central nervous system contributing to the neuroinflammation associated with Alzheimer’s Disease pathology.

It is possible the relationship is as straight forward as 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. Either theory can potentiate neuroinflammation. Time will tell as studies continue.
 
Clearly, there is much we are still learning about the relationship between neuroinflammation and systemic conditions/diseases. We do know that maintaining oral health 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. Add a water pick if you have the counter space 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 fillings.

 

• Addressing bruxism either with a mouthguard 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, then test your dental health knowledge with this quiz:
 
Dental Health Quiz - Interactive PDF_08302021.pdf (guardianlife.com)
 
See you next week for our next resolution!