In humans, everything’s connected. In essence, the digestive system is one long tube separated into specific segments, topped and tailed by the mouth and gut. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that dental health and gut health can go hand in hand.

Dental health and hygiene can impact gut health more — and vice versa — than you may realise. In this blog, we’re examining the often-overlooked link between the two.

How Mouth & Gut Bacteria Interact

Though you wouldn’t want them to meet, the mouth and the gut share similar bacterial environments. In each, an entire ecosystem of flora must stay balanced to remain healthy. If bad bacteria throw one of these ecosystems off-balance, the other can become compromised, too. So, if you’re experiencing bad breath, it may just be coming from your gut.

Harmful bacteria can accumulate in the mouth or gut due to a number of lifestyle factors. Here’s what that can look like:

Poor Diet

A poor diet is the leading culprit of oral and gut microbiome imbalance, though it affects each area in different ways. In the the mouth, high-sugar foods and refined carbohydrates encourage the buildup of plaque: a bacteria-rich film that forms on teeth. In the gut, processed or low-fibre foods, unhealthy fats or sugars, and excessive alcohol can feed harmful bacteria while starving all the ‘good’ ones.

Infections & Illnesses

Infections and illnesses always disrupt the body somehow, but some are particularly egregious to the mouth or gut. For example, diabetes can elevate glucose levels in saliva, marinating the mouth in a sugary, bacteria-cultivating broth. Xerostomia (dry mouth) also encourages bacteria to stick around, as saliva is instrumental in washing away food particles and neutralising bacteria-born acids. Finally, it goes without saying that gastrointestinal infections upset the gut and throw off its microbiome balance.

Taking Antibiotics

Antibiotics are an effective way to treat infection, but they take a shotgun approach — taking out the good bacteria as well as the bad. Just one dose of antibiotics can disturb oral or gut microbiome balance, so you should only take them as prescribed by a medical professional.

Chronic Stress

Constantly living in survival mode takes a toll. It weakens the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off oral bacteria. It can also alter gut motility and — especially when coupled with poor sleep — reduce the diversity of gut bacteria.

Conditions That Can Cause Mouth–Gut Conflict

Beyond lifestyle factors that increase the risk of imbalance, specific conditions can throw the mouth and gut into disarray. Let’s examine a few major offenders.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease (or periodontitis) is a stage of gum disease in which harmful oral bacteria progress beyond the gums and begin to encroach on the bones that support the teeth. When this happens, the body sends out an immune response intended to target the bacteria, which can also incidentally attack the bones and supporting structures. In a worst-case scenario, periodontal disease can result in tooth or bone loss.

So, what does this have to do with gut health? Unlike early-stage gum disease (gingivitis), periodontitis is a systemic condition that can affect other areas of the body. It carries a greater bacterial load than gingivitis, and because it’s a condition characterised by bacterial spread, there are more pathways available for the bacteria to travel from the mouth to the gut. When you have periodontitis, you’re more likely to send harmful bacteria to the gut when you swallow. Bacteria can also enter the bloodstream more easily once they’ve invaded the deeper tissues and bones.

Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is chronic acid reflux or heartburn. It happens when stomach acid, bile, or undigested food rises into the oesophagus, causing sour-smelling breath. In addition to bad breath, GORD can cause other mouth-related symptoms, including frequent burping, throat soreness, and difficulty swallowing. This gut condition also has one of the clearer links to oral health, as exposing the mouth to stomach acid and bile can inflame gums and damage tooth enamel.

Should I See a Dentist or a Gastroenterologist?

Whether you should see a dentist or a gastroenterologist depends on your condition and symptoms. There is an array of oral and gut conditions, and the line between where they originate — and how they perpetuate — can become blurry. Maintaining good dental health and hygiene is a fantastic first step towards preventing or slowing the spread of oral bacteria. It can also be a good ‘Band-Aid’ fix for bad breath originating from the gut, though it won’t resolve the gut condition itself.

If you believe gum disease or poor oral hygiene is driving your condition or imbalance, you should book an appointment at Abbotsford Dental. If your gut’s telling you the issue is at the other end of your digestive tract, you may want to book a gut health test with a gastroenterologist or your GP.