Your Oral Microbiome & Why It Matters

Your oral microbiome is the community of microorganisms that live in your mouth. There are hundreds of different species, some good and some that can be dangerous.

While this may sound gross at first, it is normal, and, when your microbiome is in balance it is a vital part of healthy living. It’s when things get out of balance that you can experience inflammation, infections, and disease. In your mouth that commonly means cavities, gingivitis, gum disease, various types of infection or thrush.

There is also research evidence that an unhealthy oral microbiome can impact your overall health.

• Your immune system: When fighting an over-abundance of oral bacteria keeps your immune system busy, it can diminish it’s strength and ability to take care of other things.
• Your gut microbiome: Recent research is also showing that the organisms in your digestive system mirror what is in your mouth. This makes sense as the oral organisms like bacteria are swallowed and end up there. A well-balanced gut microbiome is important for digestion and immunity.
• General chronic inflammation: There have been studies that link gum disease to inflammation throughout the body. Many believe this can contribute to medical health issues we all want to avoid.

What we know for sure is that an imbalanced oral microbiome is not healthy and should be avoided. So, how do you keep it in balance?

• Eat a healthy diet low in the sugary and starchy foods bacteria love
• Chew sugarless gum to clean your teeth when you can’t brush after a meal
• Clean your tongue with a tongue scraper (it’s easy and comfortable to do)
• Avoid mouthwashes with alcohol unless recommended by your dentist
• Brush and floss daily
• Don’t skip your professional teeth cleanings

Our mission is to help you enjoy good oral health and our dental hygienist is an expert at keeping mouth bacteria in check. Those hard deposits she removes from your teeth are where bacteria hide and form colonies. After your professional cleaning your oral microbiome will be much healthier. That is why it is so important to come in at the intervals we recommend. If we ask you to come in more often, it is because your microbiome, teeth and gums are at risk.

Let us help you keep your oral microbiome in balance and enjoy a healthier, happier smile. Give us a call today!

KN Dentistry – Orange, CA – (714) 633-2562