November 03, 2021 | LINDSEY WILSON

Are Your Teeth Sending You Messages About Your Gut Health?

More and more research is concluding that our individual microbiomes influence everything from our digestion to our immune system, our hormones, mental health, and our skin health. The microscopic world that lives inside of you is bustling with activity that keeps your body going. When a disruption occurs in these activities, it can be a tell-tale sign that there’s an imbalance somewhere in your body - most prominently in your gut.

Your body has an abundance of avenues through which it can speak to you, tell you what’s going on beneath the surface. But did you know that your dental health is a looking glass into your gut?

The Mouth-Gut Axis

Your mouth is the beginning of your digestive system. The digestive process begins the moment you put food or liquid into your mouth. The link between unwanted oral bacteria and systemic bodily diseases is evident in researchers finding the same pathogens within the mouth involved in inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, and even rheumatoid arthritis¹. This means that the potential for prevention might be found in quality oral health and dental care.

Oral Conditions Affected By An Imbalanced Gut

We know from our diligence for good gut health that if our body has too many harmful bacteria, or too few good bacteria, the imbalance spurs a reaction from your immune system. You can see this inflammatory signal in different symptoms that spring up throughout your body. Your mouth is one of these areas.

GINGIVITIS

This oral disease is a commonly known dental issue that results in the inflammation of your gums. It occurs when bacteria accumulates on your teeth and irritates the tissue of your gums. You’ll often see red, puffy gums, blood in the sink when brushing and flossing.

Because bacteria travels between the mouth and the gut, brushing and flossing may only be one way of preventing gum disease. A healthy diet that promotes a well-functioning gut is another huge portion of maintaining healthy gums.

DENTAL DECAY (CAVITIES)

A leaky gut means that there are undigested materials and toxins moving freely throughout your body. This affects the immune system’s ability to fight bad bacteria, meaning your teeth are vulnerable to tooth decay.

The very blood that circulates through your teeth to keep them alive could also be carrying toxins to your teeth, causing decay. On top of this, when your gut isn’t in balance, it isn’t able to absorb nutrients as well. This could mean that your teeth are not receiving the proper vitamins and minerals they need to maintain a strong structure.

ORAL THRUSH

Another sign of an unhealthy, imbalanced gut is the overgrowth of yeast. The most common type of yeast found in your body is candida albicans. This kind of yeast can live, in small amounts, in harmony with your body. But it’s also a leading cause of fungal infections when your good bacteria can’t keep your Candida in check. This imbalance is called candidiasis.

A symptom of Candida overgrowth is a condition known as oral thrush². This comes about in the form of lesions on your tongue, cheeks, gums, and throat. They can be very painful and make swallowing very difficult.

Avoiding excess sugar, refined carbohydrates, and alcohol (all of which feed Candida) is one effective way of ensuring that your yeast levels stay at a symbiotic ratio, without the threat of overgrowth.

If you suspect Candida overgrowth is causing you issues like indigestion, infections, skin irritation, brain fog, and fatigue, we suggest using OWL’s Yeast Buster, a proprietary blend of healing herbs, as a remedy to bring your body back into balance.

OWL Yeast Buster

Prevention Tips

The good news is that there is always a means of preventing ailments and diseases - this includes your oral health. There are several changes you can make instantly to ensure the health of both your mouth and your gut.

EAT MORE FIBER

Adding a helping or two of fruits and veggies to your diet will have two positive effects on your health. One, the fiber content of these foods will feed the good gut flora within your digestive system to not only repair any irritation, but also create a nurturing environment for good flora to flourish.

Two, these high fiber foods will slow and reduce the development of gum disease. In addition, fiber will help your mouth produce more saliva which helps wash away a greater percentage of food particles left behind, and help jumpstart the digestive process³.

OIL PULLING

Specifically with coconut oil. One study showed that pulling coconut oil for ten minutes per day helped reduce the amount of Streptococcus mutans (the ring leader of bacteria responsible for plaque build up and tooth decay), in the mouths of 60 adults within two weeks. Just as effective as standard mouthwash⁴. Another study showed oil pulling led to significant reduction in the signs of gingivitis among 60 adolescents⁵.

FERMENTED & PRE-/PROBIOTIC FOODS

Yes! Prebiotics and probiotics are good for your gut and your mouth. Not only can they help repair your gut and keep the good flora growing, they also have the same effect in your mouth⁶.

Cleanse Your Gut

CLEANSE YOUR GUT

Your mouth is a gateway to your gut. Oftentimes, it can reflect what’s happening on the inside like a mirror. Taking care of your gut is an impactful facet of keeping your mouth healthy. If your mouth is telling you that something is off, it’s a high possibility that your overall health can benefit from a total gut Reset Cleanse.

The nourishing characteristics of our Broth Elixirs and Mylkshakes will ensure that your gut is absorbing all the minerals your bones and teeth need to maintain a healthy structure.

The soothing and healing ingredients incorporated into each portion of the cleanse will significantly reduce any inflammation within your body, including your gums.

And the realignment of your digestive function will help your body find the proper balance for your microbiome to keep in check the bad bacteria that can cause you so many issues.

There are signs everywhere…

...that could be a signal from your gut. Be sure to pay attention to what it’s trying to say to you so that you can radiate with your personal brand of vibrancy. Be well, live well.

Sources:

Julie Weller

Julie is a self-made writer on a forever journey of fitness and health. As a high school music teacher, she has seen and experienced the challenges of maintaining good health while simultaneously balancing a career and healthy relationships.

Julie has always lived a healthy and active lifestyle. She loves the outdoors, hiking, and camping. Over the years she has continued to learn smarter and better ways to take care of her body while continuing to do the things that make her smile. Naturally, all of her teacher friends wanted to know how she did it - what was her secret?

Julie found herself explaining over and over everything she'd learned in her research, and sharing her experiences through trial and error. Her friends would take her advice, try some new things, and then come back to ask how to take it to the next level.

"You should charge for this kind of information!" Became a constant phrase, and so began her career of writing to share her knowledge with the world through health and wellness companies looking to spread healing and healthy habits within their communities. Now Julie gets to combine two of the things she enjoys most - writing and wellness - and use them to affect change in a real way.

When not making music with her kiddos, or writing wellness tips for a higher quality of life, you can find her reading, hiking, drumming, and fitnessing

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