Let’s Talk About Your Mouth

When you think about your gut microbiome, you probably immediately think about your intestines, maybe your stomach…maybe even your bowel movements. All of these thoughts are correct, but often, we forget about our mouths!

There’s a complex interplay between the microorganisms in the mouth and those in the digestive system, and it’s largely through the mouth that the gut microbiome is seeded.

“Oral Health is inextricably linked to all aspects of brain and bodily health in the short term and the long term and it is perhaps the most overlooked aspect of mental health and physical health” – Dr. Andrew Huberman

Our mouths are on a circadian rhythm much like our sleep cycle. There are times in the day where we produce more saliva, and times in the day we produce less. During the middle of the day, our saliva is being produced the most – this is also when the pH is the most optimal. In addition to our saliva production, our teeth go through a process of remineralization and demineralization.

You are either remineralizing or demineralizing, never both at once.

Demineralization = the loss of calcium and phosphate from the tooth enamel. (Enamel is the hard, outer surface of the tooth, and it is primarily made up of hydroxyapatite crystals, which are composed of calcium and phosphate ions.)

• Demineralization is caused by sugary foods & drinks, acidic food and beverages AND poor mouth hygeine.

Remineralization is the process by which lost calcium and phosphate are replaced in the enamel.

Key components of remineralization:

• Saliva = essential for remineralization. It contains calcium and phosphate ions, which can bind to the enamel and replace lost minerals. Saliva also helps neutralize acids in the mouth, raising the pH back to a healthy levels.
• Consuming calcium and Phosphate-rich Foods: Foods like cheese, milk, and green leafy vegetables provide essential minerals that help enamel repair.

Oral health is also negatively affected by:

• Alcohol/marijuana, and other drugs
• Smoking/vaping/dipping tobacco
• Mouth breathing – it is best to eliminate mouth breathing as much as possible unless engaging in high intensity exercise or specific breathing exercises (or if you have a deviated septum)
• Almost ALL mouthwashes (especially alcohol based and anti-septic based).
• Food products residing in your mouth for long periods of time
• Acidic based foods INCLUDING lemon water, etc
• Hydrogen peroxide is not something you want in your mouth because it reduces nitric oxide.

Oral health is positively effected by:

• Rinsing your mouth out after eating a sugary or carbohydrate meal
• Brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day (night time is absolutely non negotiable due to the lack of saliva production overnight)
• Drink acidic foods through a straw OR drink those lemon waters or coffees quickly (then rinse)
• More of an alkaline than acidic mouth environment
• Having 2-6 hours where you are not eating or drinking anything other than water.
• Using xylitol – this kills a harmful bacteria in your mouth (streptococcus mutans) AND reduces inflammation in the mouth. It is best used after meals in a mint or gum form.
• Baking soda is not abrasive and serves as a great alternative to typical “toothpaste”
• Getting routine dental cleanings at least every 6 months (there are functional dentists!).
• Brush your tongue (you don’t need a tongue scrapper)

Below is our favorite trio to help you on your mouth health journey

• Toothpaste: remineralizes tooth enamel & fluoride free
• Liposomal rinse: broad-spectrum blend of 18 botanicals, to support periodontal and gingival health
• Mints: contains xylitol

Curious about your mouth DNA? Below is some info on our favorite DNA test available to learn more about oral health. Call us or ask Michelle for more information on how you can get started with this test.

Lastly, we highly recommend testing the nitric oxide in your mouth.

• Nitric oxide is a molecule naturally produced in the body that plays a crucial role in various physiological functions, including vasodilation(widening of blood vessels), immune response, and cellular communication.
• Nitric oxide production in the mouth is directly linked to the functioning of the oral microbiome and can have significant effects on heart health, immune function, and even athletic performance.

We have test kits and nitric oxide support if you are deficient, see below!

P.S. are you interested in the debate about floride?