Of course dental health is important. We focus on plaque and cavities, as we should, but there’s so much more to oral health.

Your mouth has a microbiome. Did you know? In fact, the oral cavity has the second largest microbiome (the gut is first) and a very diverse microbiota of more than 700 bacterial species. [1]

It’s Complex

Dutchman Antony van Leeuwenhoek, regarded as the founder of microbiology, did a scraping of his own tooth plaque in 1674 and noted what he called “little living animalcules prettily moving.”[3] Fast forward with today’s technology, and we know this microbiome is extremely complex.

Your mouth is a complex habitat. Colonies of bacteria have the hard surfaces of your teeth and the soft tissues of the gums and cheeks to grow on and in. The warm, moist environment of the mouth is an ideal environment for the growth of microorganisms. Saliva is a stable pH of 6.5 to 7, ideal for bacteria, and the saliva keeps the bacteria hydrated as well. And because the mouth is the starting point of digestion, so the oral microbiome is crucially linked to the gut microbiome.

It Starts Early

The oral microbiome develops early, starting in the fetus. Recent studies have shown that the amniotic fluid contains oral microorganisms in up to 70% of the pregnant women.[4] When the baby is born, it comes into further contact with the microflora of the mother’s uterus and vagina and the baby receives even more microorganisms from breast feeding. [5]

For your whole life, keeping the oral microbiome in homeostasis is important because this microbiome influences both metabolic and immunologic functions. It influences digestion and nutrition, and is a major factor in how well the body detoxifies itself. It is a crucial part of the maintenance of the immune system, the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory processes, and the prevention of invasion and growth of disease.[2]

It’s Sensitive

However, the oral microbiome is very sensitive to the environment. [6] Poor oral hygiene allows harmful bacteria to thrive. Diets high in sugar and processed foods can fuel pathogenic bacteria, and a lack of fiber-rich foods can reduce beneficial microbes. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption also disrupt microbial balance (in the mouth and in the gut.) Stress not only affects immune function, but also may promote the growth of harmful microbes. Medications like antibiotics or corticosteroids can alter microbial populations by killing both good and bad bacteria. Additionally, conditions such as diabetes, dry mouth, or hormonal changes can further influence the oral microbiome, leading to imbalance and oral health issues.

As a closing point, your mouth can promote health or progress you toward disease. It’s all up to you, your lifestyle choices, and gaining knowledge about oral care. If you take care of your mouth, you go a long way to taking care of your whole health.