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The terrain of our bodies, its \u2018microbiome,\u2019 is host to trillions of microorganisms. Some are beneficial and some are not. You might hear about the \u2018microbiome of the gut,\u2019 as well as the \u2018microbiome of the mouth.\u2019 Given that the digestive process begins in the mouth, the two are interconnected. Aside from the role the gut plays in digestion, it is also the source of over 50% of our body\u2019s immune cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The connection between the microbiome of the mouth and illness has been known for a while. Oral bacteria circulating in the body have been linked with a number of systemic diseases, including gut issues like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth), as well as the autoimmune condition Chrohn’s Disease. But how do these microbes get into the different parts of the body, and more specifically the digestive tract? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1) Microbes from the mouth can directly penetrate the esophagus, the muscular tube connecting the throat with the stomach. Oral bacteria and other microbes found in the mouth can reach the stomach through swallowed saliva, food and drinks. These bacteria generally don\u2019t colonize in a healthy intestine, but in cases where there is gum disease, intestinal imbalance and poor diet, they are able to multiply and exposure to them may become chronic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2) Bleeding gums due to gingivitis and gum disease can give oral microbes access to the bloodstream, allowing them to circulate systemically. What you need to keep in mind is that if your gums bleed, either to touch, brushing or flossing, the microbes that are causing the bleeding have access to your blood stream and thus your body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bacteria living along and under your gums, like P. gingivalis, has been found in the intestines, where it can contribute to a \u2018leaky gut.\u2019 P. gingivalis is one of the worst offenders in periodontal or gum disease. This and other \u2018anaerobic\u2019 bacteria release very toxic waste and by-products (basically bacteria poop) into any gaps between your gums and teeth. The toxicity of this waste causes inflammation, redness and bleeding gums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the gums in your mouth and around your teeth are inflamed, there is a good chance that your gut is inflamed as well, due to the fact that both mucosal linings are subject to the same environmental, microbial and dietary influences. Leaky gut is an inflammatory condition that allows food particles and toxins to pass into the bloodstream undigested or partially digested causing inflammation in the immune system and body as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recently, microbial metabolites directly affecting the gastrointestinal tract have been identified. Metabolites (bacteria poop) can lead to various chronic diseases of the digestive tract. When absorbed into the bloodstream, they can cause low-grade systemic inflammatory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Spirochetes are very aggressive bacteria. It is also a primary aggrevator of gum inflammation, bleeding and causes gum disease. The problem in the past is that spirochetes are very hard to test for in the mouth, as you cannot isolate or see them by usual means. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thankfully, we have a high magnification phase constast microscope in the office where spirochetes can be seen and quantified in our attempts to treat gum disease and bring your gums and bone back to health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just to get an idea of this bacteria and what it does in the mouth take a look at this video:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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