Oral Care: How it Impacts Your Health

Oral care was never really a high priority of mine. Sure I brushed twice a day (sometimes skipping at night if I was feeling lazy) but I was never one for flossing - it just seemed like another thing that I needed to add to my to-do list for the day and something that my dentist shamed me about twice a year. They always seemed to see right through my “I floss occasionally” lies and, this past time I went to the dentist, they told me that I was well on my way to developing gum disease due to the plaque buildup and the poor health of my gums. After a lengthy visit at the dentist to try and do damage control, I made a commitment that I would try and floss once a day and do some research to spark the motivation to do so. That was back in August and I’ve maybe skipped flossing twice since then (and then made up for the it the next morning). Personally, I’ve noticed fresher breath and less plaque build up but also some surprising side effects such as clearer skin and better digestion - coincidence? Research shows that oral health is tied to the general health and well-being of our body. And that’s what we’re diving into in todays post:

The importance of supporting your oral health
How oral health impacts other systems in your body
The order in which to floss, brush, and irrigate
Tools that are helpful in maintaining the health of your microbiome

The Importance of Supporting your Oral Health

Your mouth is gross…I don’t mean it as an insult. EVERYONE’s mouths’ are gross. It’s a breeding ground for bacteria between the warm, moist environment and for those of us who don’t floss, you’re providing sustenance to keep those bacteria growing. Think about all the food that gets trapped between your teeth that is essentially left there to rot and turn into plaque. Not only does it contribute to gum disease and bad breath but it also impacts other systems in our body as well. The different surfaces in your mouth each may harbor 500-700 species of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Your oral hygiene significantly impacts your oral microbiome and poor hygiene can shift your flora to a complex microbiome with more bad bacteria than good.

How Oral Health Impacts Other Systems in your Body

Oral care may have systemic implications other than just impacting our gums and bad breath. These implications may range from inflammatory bowel diseases, insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, lung diseases, and pregnancy complications. Diabetes in particular, has a strong relationship with periodontal disease, and there is evidence that shows how treating one positively impacts the other. So when your dentist has been telling you this whole time to floss more and pay attention to your dental health - they weren’t just harping on it for the hell of it - go figure!

What Order Should I Clean my Teeth in?

Remember F.I.B: Floss, Irrigate, and Brush. Flossing helps to loosen bacteria, food debris, and particles that get caught in between your teeth. Irrigation (water pick) is used to further rid the tight spaces between your teeth and under the gum line of any particles that were overlooked during flossing. Lastly, brushing helps remove the final bacteria from the gum line. Brushing is important to do last as flossing paves the way for toothpaste and the hydroxyapatite to get in between teeth and into those hard to reach places.

Tools that are Helpful in Maintaining Health of the Oral Microbiome

Electric Toothbrush: Some studies show that those who use electric toothbrushes have slightly better results as far as the cleanliness of their teeth go. While it’s not necessary, it is a helpful tool to have! I would recommend Goby or Boka electric toothbrush. And if you opt for a regular tooth brush, make sure you are brushing at a 45 degree angle against your gum-line.
Natural Fiber Floss: Conventional floss (like Oral-B) has recently been found to contain PFAS, which are man-made compounds that the CDC and the EPA consider potentially toxic for humans. Boka, Radius, RiseWell, Dr Tung’s, and Cocofloss are all great brands for floss.
Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste: Hydroxyapatite is the main component of enamel and has been studied due to it being the main component of the mineral part of bone and teeth. Hydroxyapatite is also a source of calcium and phosphate, which help to remineralize our enamel. Boka or RiseWell are both great brands
Tongue Scraper: It is estimated that 50% of cases of bad breath that originate in the mouth are caused by tongue residue. The tongue is home to a number of bacteria that can contribute to several health issues. A super simple way to help decrease the bacteria in your mouth and residue on your tongue is by using a tongue scraper!
Water Pick: A water pick isn’t necessary but can be a great addition to your oral care routine and some studies show is as effective as flossing. So if you would prefer using a water pick to flossing then it’s a good alternative!
Coconut Oil: Lastly, coconut oil and oil pulling have been shown to reduce bacteria, whiten teeth, and freshen breath. It’s also thought to pull toxins out. Oil pulling should be done before brushing your teeth. Take 1 tbsp of organic cold-pressed coconut oil and swish for 15-20 minutes before spitting it out in the trash (never down your drain!).
Going to the dentist for a deep clean twice a year! This one is also a tool at your disposal. The dentist is not everyone’s favorite but I guarantee you that the more you focus on your oral care at home, the less painful your trip to the dentist will be.

Oral care is beneficial to our health overall and I’ve seen some pretty interesting benefits to flossing and using a tongue scraper each day. While I couldn’t find any studies that looked at the relationship between oral health/bacteria and acne, I feel I’ve seen a huge improvement in my skin and don’t have as many breakouts (may not be directly correlated but I don’t think it’s exactly a coincidence). Either way, its something I’m so glad I started focusing on over this past year. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below or if you would add anything to the list of tools I’ve provided above!