According to Ann Bolger, M.D., the William Watt Kerr Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco “the mouth can be a good warning signpost, people with periodontitis (inflammation of the tissue around the teeth, often causing shrinkage of the gums and loosening of the teeth) often have risk factors that not only put their mouth at risk, but their heart and blood vessels, too. But whether one causes the other has not actually been shown.”
Regardless of whether there is a direct correlation/causation between periodontitis and heart disease, we do know that oral hygiene is extremely important when it comes to overall health. Bad bugs (aka. Bad pathogens/bacteria in the mouth) can access the bloodstream that channels the entire body. Thus, a dirty mouth can mean a less-than-squeaky-clean bod!
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 47.2% of American adults (age 30 or older) have mild, moderate or severe periodontitis. Perhaps most alarming, the problem is starting young. It is estimated that 65% of 15 year olds already have gingivitis (early sign of gum disease as shown by bleeding gums).
That being said, the age-old advice of avoiding too much sugar, brushing twice a day, and flossing regularly may be insufficient.
The truth is, there is more we can do and, as always, food is part of the equation. First, we can ensure a diet full of generally nutrient dense food to help boost our immune systems. A healthy immune system to help fight the good fight! Check out my article on Therapeutic Foods and Immune Boosting Foods here.
But we can also make an effort to include specific nutrients that we know target those bad bugs in the mouth.
Green Tea contains polyphenols that have been shown to improve the health of your teeth and gums, decrease inflammation, increase alkalinity of your mouth, and inhibit the growth of cavity-causing bacteria.
Organ Meats & Sardines contain CoQ10, Calcium, Vitamin D and Folate. Calcium and Vitamin D have been proven to promote healthy tooth structure and re-mineralize teeth while low levels of CoQ10 and Folate have been associated with periodontitis.
Sunflower Seeds are high in phosphorus which helps promote healthy mineral density of the teeth.
Fermented Foods (Vegetables, Fruit, Kefir, Yogurt, Natto, Miso, Temphe), basically anything rich in probiotics will help keep our good and bad bugs in check. This may be why the consumption of soy has been shown to reduce signs of periodontitis.
Honey/Maple Syrup are natural sugars. Please don’t get me wrong here – – I’m not promoting a high sugar diet, but it’s important to note that all sugar is not created equal when it comes to its effect on our mouth. Added sugar seems to be worse for the health of our mouth than that which is naturally occurring. So when you do consume sugar (as we all do), opt for the good stuff!
Also important is the need to stay adequately hydrated. Being well hydrated keeps things moving through our system, flushes toxins, and balances our pH. It also helps promote healthy levels of saliva, which naturally fight tooth decay by helping clear out excess food particles that bacteria love to munch on!
Now, if you’re looking for more ways to boost your oral hygiene try oil pulling or essential oils with antibacterial properties. Coconut and sesame oil are common for pulling, while clove oil is known to help prevent gingivitis. OraWellness has some great resources if you’re looking for more information on oil pulling and/or essential oils.
Last, there is the issue of stress. Just as certain foods and liquids can wreak havoc on our oral health, stress too can affect the delicate balance of the good and bad bugs in our mouth! Check out my article on stress for some helpful tips for managing your daily stressors.
