Written By Natalie Wilson / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Your body contains just as many microorganisms as there are stars in the sky and they are friendly bacteria which come with us wherever we go. The benefits of these microorganisms are hugely diverse and they help our bodies to do a huge host of things, from helping us to digest certain foods to maintaining our skin barrier. As with any good host, ensuring that the environment for these microorganisms is healthy is hugely important.

These microorganisms can be disrupted by an array of things and when it comes to your oral health, this is especially true. It is said that your mouth is the gateway to your overall health and wellbeing, so if you have poor oral health, this can disrupt your complete bodily health, as well as your mouth’s microbiome.

A healthy body equals a healthy mouth, and vice versa. Whilst bacteria are often blamed for dental problems such as gum disease and tooth decay, a disrupted mouth microbiome can also be the root cause. It is disputed that there is no such thing as good and bad bacteria, instead the condition for which these bacteria live is often the reason behind well or poorly behaved bacteria.

Protecting and looking after your mouth’s microbiome is key to maintaining overall oral health and often takes much more than simply brushing your teeth twice a day. With that in mind, here are some tips on how you can protect your mouth’s microbiome.

What Is A Mouth Microbiome?

Our bodies are made up of hundreds of thousands of different organisms and species and these are fundamental to our ability to thrive and stay alive. Our mouth microbiome is made up of mostly bacterial organisms and these organisms perform vital functions which help to keep our teeth and mouths healthy.

These functions include transporting saliva to the surface of the mouth and teeth, carrying oxygen to gums and soft tissues and disposing of waste materials left on the surface of our teeth and tongue.

How Do You Know If Your Mouth Microbiome Is Imbalanced?

When your mouth microbiome is well-balanced, you’ll notice that your teeth feel squeaky clean and your gums are a flush pink color. The organisms in your mouth are often referred to as the oral biofilm, or plaque. However, if your mouth microbiome is imbalanced, then the plaque transforms into a thick and sticky film, which often has an odor.

You’ll be able to see this plaque when you brush your teeth at the end of the day, with the off-white substance along your tooth and gumline. If your mouth microbiome is imbalanced, there are some symptoms you might notice to confirm this. Symptoms include bad breath, tooth decay and bleeding gums.

How To Protect Your Mouth’s Microbiome

The science on how you can create a healthy mouth microbiome is constantly being debated and expanded upon, but there are some ways in which you can ensure your mouth microbiome is protected. These include:

Eating Plant-Based Foods

It is believed that eating a plant-based diet is a good place to start when it comes to looking after your overall oral health and mouth microbiome. Fruits, vegetables, lentils, tofu and nuts are all said to be hugely beneficial for overall mouth health. This doesn’t mean that you need to become vegan, but even just incorporating a few plant-based foods into your diet can help to promote a healthier oral environment.

Cutting Down On Sugar

We all know that sugar isn’t your teeth’s best friend and there is more and more research being done into the reasoning behind this. Scientists believe that one of the most detrimental effects of consuming a high sugar diet is the impact on our oral health and the impact it has on encouraging the growth of acid-loving bacteria, which then contributes towards gum disease and can damage the growth of good bacteria.

Brushing Your Teeth Properly

We all know the importance of brushing your teeth twice a day, but there are other important steps you can take to properly clean your teeth and further help protect your mouth’s microbiome.

Flossing regularly, using mouthwash and getting regular dental checkups can all help protect your teeth and gums. If you have things such as dental implants or are undergoing Invisalign treatment, then using interdental brushes can further boost your oral health and wellbeing, thus also protecting your mouth’s microbiome. 

Looking for a 100% all-natural liquid tooth oil and mouth rinse? Check out OraMD Original Strength and OraMD Extra Strength. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral care, skincare, body care and foot care. If you are looking for more health resources check out the Trusted Health Resources list. 

Written By:

Natalie Wilson is a freelance health and wellness writer. She loves researching and writing about new health trends and topics, as well as keeping up to date with the latest health news. When not writing, you can find her taking long walks in the countryside with her dog or browsing her nearest bookstore. You can connect with her on Twitter @NatWilson976.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

Photo by Luis Machado on Unsplash