Get ready to rethink your dental routine! Your mouth isn't just about pearly whites – it's a gateway to your overall health. The latest science reveals a fascinating connection between oral health and your gut, immune system, and even chronic diseases.
What's the Gum-Gut Connection?
- Your mouth is teeming with bacteria – some good, some bad.
- When harmful bacteria take over (due to poor hygiene, etc.), it impacts your gut health too.
- This imbalance can trigger inflammation throughout your body, linked to issues like [Name 2-3 conditions].
Understanding the Gum-Gut Connection
- The Traveling Microbes: Harmful bacteria from your mouth (especially those involved in gum disease) can make their way down your digestive tract. This happens through swallowing saliva or food.
- Disrupting the Gut Balance: Your gut has its own unique microbiome, essential for digestion, immunity, and more. The invading oral bacteria disrupt this balance, promoting inflammation in the gut.
- Systemic Impact: Gut inflammation doesn't stay local. It can contribute to widespread inflammation in your whole body. This chronic inflammation is a significant factor in many conditions, including:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Some forms of arthritis
- pre-mature birth
- It's a Two-Way Street: While oral bacteria can harm your gut, gut problems can also negatively affect your mouth. For instance, acid reflux can damage tooth enamel.
Protecting Yourself: It Starts With Your Smile
- Brush & Floss like a Pro: It's your first line of defense!
- Don't Skip Checkups: Dentists spot problems before they spread.
- Gut-Friendly Foods: Think prebiotics and probiotics.
Want to Learn More?
- click here for the original article
Call to Action:
Ready to upgrade your oral health routine? Schedule your next cleaning and exam today! call 646-6878-7898 or book online!
We truly wish for the general well-being of our patients, not just your oral health.
Sincerely,
Yohan Kim, DMD, FICOI
Author
Dr. Yohan Kim
Dr. Kim graduated from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine Top of the Class and extended his training in General Practice Residency at Bellevue Hospital Center. He has been a faculty at AIC implant training center and lectured in US and Canada for the past 7 years. He has been part-time clinical instructor at NYU Implantology program as well as at GPR program at Bellevue hospital center. He truly believes that education and better knowledge empower patients. He maintains a private practice in Manhattan, New York focusing on comprehensive digital dentistry.
