Dental Health
The Mouth and the Oral Microbiome
As you might expect, the teeth, gums, tongue, and entire oral cavity have microbiomes, too. This microbiome is the first to interact with food and influence subsequent processes. Good dental hygiene is essential for overall health. There are many links between oral health and systemic diseases.
Key points that are not widely discussed include:
Before brushing your teeth, floss. Flossing breaks the tiny adhesions between the gums and teeth. This exposes the tooth biofilm and allows for proper remineralization.
Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and replace it every month. Nylon bristles stiffen and bend over time, which can damage your gums. Be gentle when brushing!
Use a toothpaste without fluoride or other harsh chemicals. None of the major commercial brands are healthy.
Try adding a small sprinkle of baking soda to your toothpaste. The pH level of your teeth is important for mineralization and stain prevention. An acidic pH is bad; baking soda neutralizes acid.
Don’t use mouthwash! Your oral microbiome is critical to your health. Don’t kill your microbiome with mouthwash. Bad breath means bad bacteria, which comes from eating carbohydrates and sugar. Eliminate the carbs and sugar, not the good bacteria.
Scrape your tongue daily, preferably at bedtime.
For more information, visit Dr. Mark Burhenne’s website: https://askthedentist.com/.
I have no affiliation with Dr. Burhenne.
Studies show that xylitol gum is more effective than fluoride at preventing cavities.
The hidden dangers of the mouth are rarely discussed. Do you have old fillings? Have you had a root canal? Do you have titanium or other metal implants? Have you had your wisdom teeth removed? All of these can be sources of chronic, low-grade infections and toxicity. Relatively new approaches called functional and biological dentistry are emerging to address these issues. If you have low-grade inflammation for no apparent reason, check your mouth. Thanks to decades of “drill and fill” dentistry, millions of people have hidden dental inflammation
Watch Ben Azadi explain important issues with brushing. I have not met him and am not affiliated with him. I included his video because he does a great job of explaining a challenging topic. I neither endorse nor disclaim his programs and products. It’s up to you to decide.