The Oral Microbiome and why is Oral Health important?

Gut health and probiotics have gained importance in the past few years. Gut health is determined by the diversity and population of the gut microbiome. Similarly, the oral microbiome is also vital to our body’s overall health. In fact the gut and mouth are very closely related since the gut microbiome is “fed” by the mouth’s every time we swallow.

A very good example of how critical the oral microbiome is the nitric oxide conversion pathway. We are told to eat nitrate rich foods (such as beetroot, green leafy vegetables) as nitrates convert to nitric oxide which governs vasodilation and regulation of blood pressure. However, the nitrate to nitric-oxide pathway in our body relies on certain oral bacteria. Which if not is abundant supply the benefit of eating these nitrate rich foods is lost as the pathway is not complete. Nitric oxide is also critical to other body functions such as reducing inflammation, immune response and even regulating blood sugar levels. 

It is also key to have a good balance of oral microbiome because good bacteria pro-biotics control the growth of oral pathogens (disease-causing bacteria). These pathogens if get out of control can enter our blood stream reach other organs like our heart and cause inflammation.

Sadly, current approaches to dental care don’t consider how important it is to support a healthy flora within the mouth. Instead, we’re told to disinfect and sanitize the mouth and are sold “99% germ-kill” mouthwashes.