Hello health enthusiasts!
It’s common knowledge that one of the first things people notice in a person is his/her smile. And the secret to their beautiful smile is the perfect set of pearly white teeth. To achieve this, people tend to brush their teeth twice a day, floss their teeth, and use dental aligners to give teeth a proper form.
All this is done to get rid of the bacteria in the mouth that causes formation of plaque and bad breath.
But would you have ever imagined that the secret to your healthy gums and teeth could be certain bacteria that live in your mouth.
The common misconception that all bacteria in the mouth are bad is quite wrong, there are certain beneficial bacteria in the mouth that play various vital roles in keeping the mouth and body healthy.
Now let's explore the other side of the oral microbiome, which consists of beneficial bacteria and the mysterious roles they play. We will be looking into the following:
Table of Contents
What is Oral Microbiome?
The oral microbiome is a community of microorganisms, mostly bacteria, that call the human mouth their home1,2,3. The mouth is an ideal habitat from bacteria to feed, multiply and thrive on. The oral microbiome is distinct from gut and skin microbiome3.
Over 2 billion bacteria and 700 known species call themselves at home in the mouth, because of the rich access to nutrients, moisture, and a moderate temperature3. The oral microbiome is crucial to overall health. An unbalanced or dysbiotic oral microbiome can cause both oral and systemic diseases2.
A healthy oral microbiome will consist of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Staphylococci, and Streptococcus mutans.
These microorganisms are crucial for maintaining oral health by preventing and healing diseases, protecting the mouth from disease-causing invaders, supplying appropriate antibodies, transporting oxygen to the gums, removing waste from surfaces of the mouth, remineralizing tooth enamel, and promoting the well-being of other bodily systems connected to the mouth.
Importance of the oral microbiome beyond the oral cavity
The good bacteria in the oral cavity performs many functions that are unknown to most people which include:
1. Transporting Minerals: The oral microbiome transports minerals from saliva to the surface of teeth to aid in remineralization, which is essential for maintaining healthy teeth4.
Remineralization is an important process that helps our tooth enamel stay strong, which is why people tend to use toothpaste containing calcium, potassium, and fluoride.
2. Defense Mechanism: There are certain good bacteria that form a protective layer of film in the mouth, this protective film prevents the bad bacteria from attaching to surfaces and proliferating. This defense mechanism helps protect the host from harmful microorganisms5.
This helps keep the population of bad bacteria under control.
3. Influence on Whole-Body Health: The oral microbiome has a significant impact on various systems within the human body. An imbalance in the oral microbiome, known as dysbiosis, can contribute to diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, pancreatic cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV infection, and atherosclerosis, highlighting the far-reaching effects of the oral microbiome on overall health5,6.
How to support a healthy oral microbiome?
Oral microbiome is one easiest to take care of. As we can visualize the condition of our mouth and take precautions based on it. Following just a few simple healthy habits can help you achieve a healthy oral microbiome.
1. Maintain good oral hygiene: Brush and floss daily, twice a day, to remove plaque and food particles that can cause bad bacteria to grow.
2. Stay hydrated: A dry mouth can lead to an imbalance in the oral microbiome, so keep your mouth hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding acidic or sugary drinks7.
3. Eat a healthy diet: A diet rich in antioxidant-rich, anti-inflammatory, and alkalizing foods can boost your oral health. Have a diet rich in fiber, fermented foods and veggies without compromising on protein intake. Reduce your intake of simple carbs and refined sugars, which lead to cavities and tooth decay7.
4. Reduce sugar and refined carbohydrates: Avoid sugar, refined carbohydrates, and packaged or fast foods as they help bad bacteria thrive8.
5. Chew oral probiotics: Oral probiotics and prebiotics help restore healthy bacteria in your mouth (the kind that helps fight oral problems)9.
6. Use a tongue scraper: Scraping the bacteria from your tongue allows good bacteria a chance to proliferate9.
What will happen if all the oral microbiome gets destroyed?
If all the oral microbiome were destroyed, it would have significant consequences on oral and overall health.
1. Increased Risk of Oral Diseases: Without the protective functions of the oral microbiome, individuals would be more susceptible to oral diseases such as cavities, gum disease, oral thrush, bad breath, respiratory infections, tonsillitis, and even oral cancer10,11.
2. Impaired Digestion and Nutrient Absorption: The oral microbiome is essential for the initial stages of digestion and nutrient absorption. Destroying the oral microbiome could lead to difficulties in digesting food and absorbing nutrients, impacting overall health and well-being10.
3. Compromised Immune Response: The oral microbiome interacts closely with the immune system, and its destruction could weaken the body's immune response, making individuals more vulnerable to infections and diseases11.
4. Systemic Health Issues: Disruption of the oral microbiome can have systemic effects, potentially contributing to conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and even certain cancers11,12.
5. Loss of Protective Functions: The oral microbiome acts as a defense mechanism against harmful pathogens and helps maintain a healthy balance of microorganisms in the mouth. Destroying this microbiome could lead to an imbalance that promotes the growth of pathogenic bacteria, increasing the risk of infections and diseases12.
Conclusion
In short, maintaining good oral hygiene practices, including regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups, is still crucial for keeping your mouth healthy. While it's unrealistic to expect to completely eliminate all bacteria from the oral cavity, consistent oral care can help control bacterial growth, reduce plaque buildup, and lower the risk of dental problems.
In addition to brushing, it's essential to follow a balanced diet, limit sugary foods and drinks, and avoid habits like smoking that can contribute to oral health issues. Ultimately, while our efforts to maintain a healthy smile are valuable, it's important to have realistic expectations about what oral hygiene can achieve and to seek professional dental care when needed.
References:
[1] https://www.realsimple.com/oral-microbiome-affects-overall-health-7111828
[2] https://doctorstaci.com/learn/the-power-of-the-oral-microbiome/
[3] https://biomcare.com/life-science/oral-microbiome/
[4] https://gloscience.com/blogs/blog/understanding-the-oral-microbiome-1
[5] https://biomcare.com/life-science/oral-microbiome/
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5960472/
[7] https://www.salivea.com/blog/2020/9/2/5-tips-for-a-healthy-oral-microbiome
[8] https://www.bradfordfamilydentist.ca/how-to-balance-your-oral-microbiome/
[9] https://doctorstaci.com/learn/the-power-of-the-oral-microbiome/
[10] https://doctorstaci.com/learn/the-power-of-the-oral-microbiome/
[11] https://www.rejuv-health.com/biological-dentistry/oral-microbiome/