Thread by @theseusfitness

The Oral Microbiome and Its Impact on Every System in the Body

//A THREAD//

The mouth is known as "the mirror of health and disease in the body". Gut health has long been linked to overall health and life expectancy and the health of the mouth is intrinsically linked to gut health.

Simply, the oral microbiome is a collection of bacteria that affect health and disease. It is a delicately balanced ecosystem with over 700 species of bacteria. In fact, it is the second most diverse biome, with only the gut being more diverse.

Imbalance in your oral microbiome will lead to all sorts of ailments like inflammation, gingervitis, and cavities - not to mention negative downstream effects on your gut microbiome which will only compound your adverse symptoms.

Here is a 2019 study that shows how bacterial populations in the mouth will travel to the gut and can alter immune responses and lead to systemic diseases.

Unfortunately most oral care disregards habits that promote healthy oral flora, instead we are told to disinfect. Chlorine in the water, even in trace amounts, has been shown to disrupt your oral microbiota. The same with mouthwash, and most toothpastes you use.

So what kind of diseases have been linked back to your oral microbiome? Inflammatory bowel disease, cirrhosis of the liver (in fact, of the problematic bacteria in liver cirrhosis 54% originate in the mouth), gut-related cancers, and immune system.

1. Stop consuming vegetable oils and sugar
2. Stop using mouthwash and use non chlorinated water
3. Start nasal breathing and tape your mouth when you sleep (@SolBrah)
4. Make sure you floss, plaque buildup can cause heart disease
5. Use a copper tongue scrapper (@JulianaLung)

Hope this has helped a few people. Thanks for reading.