What is oral microbiome dysbiosis and how can you avoid it?
Oral microbiome dysbiosis is characterized by a decrease in microbial diversity in your mouth (1). Simply put, this means that your mouth lacks an abundance of beneficial bacteria and thus pathogenic (bad) bacteria overgrow and cause you to experience an increased risk in cavities, gum disease, bad breath and more.
We liken it to a garden in your mouth. Your “garden” should have every bed filled with healthy plants and fruits or vegetables. However, if one of your “garden beds” is empty this increases the chance that a weed will take up the available nutrients and begin to grow. That weed can then spread from bed to bed and begin to kill your healthy plants. Looping this back to your mouth, it means that an overgrowth of bad bacteria can kill off the good by using up their nutrients. You are then left with a garden of bad bacteria that can cause an unhealthy pH in your mouth which can lead to bad breath and a host of oral health issues.
So what can you do to keep your garden beds full of healthy plants? Encourage the growth of good bacteria! Practical ways to do this are:
1. Keep your mouth at a healthy pH. You can do this by rinsing with water or a pH balancing mouthwash after every meal. You can also eat foods that encourage a healthy pH (2). You can help keep your pH balanced at night by taping your mouth to avoid mouth breathing (but we recommend that you check with your physician if you have any health concerns before doing this!)
2. Use oral care products that contain xylitol, and chew xylitol gum in between meals. Pathogenic bacteria cannot digest xylitol and die off or become less sticky as a result (3). Chewing gum also helps stimulate salivation which also keeps your mouth clean and balances your pH. (4)
3. Eat foods that provide nutrients to your teeth like apples, leafy greens, nuts and calcium rich-foods. (5)
4. Take a dental pre and probiotic to help flood your mouth with good bacteria on a daily basis, and provide food for those bacteria too! (Prebiotics like chicory root provide nutrients for beneficial bacteria). (6)
5. Maintain good oral hygiene. Much like a real garden needs constant pruning. When you brush and floss on a daily basis you are helping remove the “weeds” or bad bacteria that have taken up space in your mouth. Make sure to brush your tongue too, or use a tongue scraper!
6. Finally, you can keep your oral microbiome in check by testing your saliva to see what types of bacteria are living in your mouth, and their relative abundance. Like a window into your oral health, oral microbiome testing helps you and your dentist see exactly what types of bacteria are in your mouth and provide customized recommendations for how to improve your oral health.
Sources:
(1) Sudhakara P, Gupta A, Bhardwaj A, Wilson A. Oral Dysbiotic Communities and Their Implications in Systemic Diseases. Dent J (Basel). 2018 Apr 16;6(2):10. doi: 10.3390/dj6020010. PMID: 29659479; PMCID: PMC6023521.
(2) Namestnikova IV, Rumyantsev VA, Egorova EN. [[Influence of Nutrition Nature on Acid-Base Balance in the Mouth and the Risk of Dental Diseases].]. Eksp Klin Gastroenterol. 2016;(5):12-15. Russian. PMID: 28661588.
(3) Lynch H, Milgrom P. Xylitol and dental caries: an overview for clinicians. J Calif Dent Assoc. 2003 Mar;31(3):205-9. PMID: 12693818.
(4) Fröhlich S, Maiwald HJ, Flowerdew G. Effect of gum chewing on the pH of dental plaque. J Clin Dent. 1992;3(3):75-8. PMID: 1449615.
(5) https://askthedentist.com/best-foods-for-oral-health/
(6) https://getsuperteeth.com/pages/dental-probiotic
What are your health goals for 2023? If achieving better oral health is on your list, here are our top 5 recommendations to help you get started on the right foot.
1. Test your oral microbiome with Bristle Health's at-home saliva test. Their test will give you a window into your oral health and can help make personalized product recommendations or help you talk to your dentist about your results.
2. Read Heal Your Oral Microbiome by Cass Nelson-Dooley (available on Amazon!) The more you know, the better equipped you are to make decisions about your oral health!
3. Use products that are healthier for your mouth and body. As studies accumulate on the dangerous effects of prolonged fluoride consumption, why not choose a safer option that is just as effective? Hydroxyapatite is a naturally occurring mineral form of calcium that plays a role in the structural strength of your teeth (and bones!) and can help aid in the remineralization of enamel. Dental probiotics are also a great natural and effective way to help balance the pH of your mouth and discourage the growth of cavity-causing bacteria. The benefits of probiotics for the gut are well studied, and now we know they can be beneficial for the mouth too!
4. Learn from experts on Instagram (Like @AskTheDentist, @Biological_dentist and @Doctor_Staci) These dentists are holistic-minded and always have great tips, tricks and information to share. A must follow on social!
5. Drink more water, eat nutrient-dense meals, snack less, floss more. Changing your small, daily habits will make the biggest impact!
Which of these will you implement in 2023? Let us know in the comments!
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Effects of SUPER TEETH Dental Probiotic + Prebiotic on the Oral Microbiomes of 12 Adult and Children Volunteers
Abstract
Aim: This study was designed to analyze the effects that SUPER TEETH Dental Probiotic + Prebiotic (containing 33 mg [3 billion CFU] Streptococcus salivarius M18, Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus paracasei) has on the bacterial make-up of a person’s oral microbiome.
Material and methods: The study consisted of 6 adults and 6 children. All participants took a Bristle Oral Health Test prior to the study and sent their saliva to be analyzed by Bristle’s scientists to find out what types of bacteria and how much of each bacterial species were present in the mouth. Then all participants savored a SUPER TEETH Dental Probiotic + Prebiotic tablet in their mouth twice daily after brushing for a duration of 30 days. No other changes were made to the participants' normal diet and normal oral hygiene routine. A day after the conclusion of the study, all participants took the Bristle Oral Health Test again and sent their saliva samples to be analyzed by Bristle's scientists to find out if a change in their oral microbiome occurred.
Results: SUPER TEETH Dental Probiotic + Prebiotic showed to positively impact the oral microbiome by encouraging the growth of certain beneficial bacteria and reducing the amount of certain pathogenic bacteria.
Figure 1:
Peptostreptococcus stomatis is an anaerobic species of bacteria that causes halitosis and colonizes both the tongue, and the gumline. All participants who had Peptostreptococcus stomatis present in their mouth pre-study had no detectable levels of this bacteria post-study.
Figure 2:
Streptococcus mutans is a facultatively anaerobic, gram-positive bacteria and is a significant contributor to tooth decay. In one participant, Streptococcus mutans was detected at the start of the study. Post study, no detectable amounts of bacteria remained.
Figure 3 and 4:
Streptococcus gordonii and Streptococcus sanguinis, two beneficial species that compete with Streptococcus mutans, and aid in remineralization through alkali production via arginine metabolism. Both of these species also produce hydrogen peroxide and can limit the growth of anaerobic species on the tongue and teeth. Almost all participants saw an increase in these two types of bacteria when comparing pre and post study results.
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It's officially cold and flu season and that means it's time to start taking your vitamins... AND your probiotics! Before we explain why oral probiotics help strengthen your immune system lets talk about the immune system that resides in the mouth.
Recently we interviewed scientist, author and microbiome expert Cass Nelson-Dooley about the oral microbiome and its affect on the immune system and seasonal health. During our interview, Cass explained to us that we have a trio of immune defense in the mouth:
1. The Oral Mucosa (Mouth Lining) - This is the lining that covers our oral cavity and stretches down to the throat and gut. It helps keep harmful bugs and germs from entering our bodies and blood stream.
2. Our Immune System Cells - Dendritic cells or M cells that reside in our oral mucosa sample everything that comes into the mouth and recognizes them as either harmless outsiders or harmful invaders. They then send signals to the immune system accordingly!
3. The Oral Microbiome - This is the collection of microbes (including bacteria) in our mouth that help fight against infection and inflammation. It is a delicate community that needs TLC to stay balanced and healthy!
So how can probiotics help strengthen our oral immune system?
Probiotics help strengthen the oral lining barrier and help prevent "leaky mouth" from occurring. Haven't heard of "leaky mouth"? It's a fairly new discovery taken from the "leaky gut" theory. A quick Google search can help explain!
Probiotics help crowd out space for bad bugs to make home. Cass explained this to us by describing it like a parking lot where good bugs take up parking spaces so there aren't any left for the bad ones. This is called "colonization resistance" and it helps us resist invasion and infection.
Probiotics help balance our oral microbiome which in turn helps reduce oral and systemic inflammation and allows all of our resources to fight harmful invaders.
So in our home, a daily probiotic for the gut AND the mouth is a top priority for this time of year. We have it in our cupboard right next to our Zinc, Vitamin-C, and our multi-vitamins!
Oral diseases don't just happen overnight! It's our daily habits and ongoing choices that affect the delicate balance of bacteria that reside in our mouth.
Excellent oral hygiene and nutritious food choices will help keep our "good bugs" happy and our oral microbiomes balanced. A harmonious community of bacteria will help keep your mouth disease-free! But a diet of processed foods and refined sugars can tip the scales and cause a spiral of bacterial dysbiosis, inflammation and disease.
How can you avoid throwing your oral microbiome out of whack?
1. Eat whole foods - foods that are rich in nutritious vitamins and minerals come straight from the earth and are not processed or man-made. Fruits, vegetables, meat, nuts, seeds, oats and grains are examples of whole foods. Rule of thumb: if it comes from a box or a bag and has more than 1-2 ingredients it's usually processed.
2. Eat or supplement important vitamins and minerals that your teeth and gums need to stay strong and healthy. Some great tooth-healthy vitamins and minerals are calcium, Vitamin-D, Potassium, Phosphorous, Vitamin-C, Vitamin-A and Vitamin-K.
3. Avoid snacking throughout the day and eat 3-4 balanced meals. Frequent snacking does not allow your teeth to take a break from the acid that is produced in your mouth while you eat, so your enamel becomes soft and weak.
4. Brush and floss daily (yes, we said floss!)
5. Take a dental probiotic to replenish the good bacteria in your mouth, and a prebiotic to keep those bugs alive and thriving (SUPER TEETH Dental Probiotic has both!)
6. Chew a xylitol based gum after meals to get your saliva flowing. Saliva helps neutralize the acidity in your mouth after eating, and it helps remineralize your teeth by pulling calcium and phosphate back into the teeth.
7. Visit the dentist at least 2x/year. Make sure to find a dentist that treats your mouth as a part of your whole body health. We like this Functional Dentist Directory put together by Dr. Mark Burhenne.
Our dental probiotic has just the right amount of xylitol to support your oral health without disrupting your gut. But it's still a no-no for your furry friend!
According to the ADA, plain sparkling water has pretty much no affect on your enamel. Even though it has a higher acid level than water it isn't enough to change the pH of your saliva. But how many carbonated beverage choices are just plain sparkling water? Most likely your favorite fizzy drink is affecting your teeth and there are three reasons why:
1. Your drink is flavored.
Acid erodes enamel and many sparkling drinks are flavored with lime, lemon, orange and other citrus flavors. Citrus is highly acidic and a drink with added citrus flavor can change the pH of your mouth and will take a toll on your teeth every time you take a sip.
2. Your drink has added sugar.
While "healthy" sparkling beverages usually have less sugar than a traditional soda they still may contain sugar. Even a few grams of sugar is still enough to cause damage to your teeth if you slowly sip on your beverage for more than 20 minutes. Sugar feeds the cavity-causing bacteria called Streptococcus mutans and these bad bacteria produce acid as a by-product. So we've circled back to acid which means we've circled back to enamel erosion!
3. Your drink has other added ingredients.
Some drinks like club soda contain disodium phosphate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium citrate, potassium sulfate, salt, sodium bicarbonate, or sodium citrate, all of which can be harmful to your body and are abrasive ingredients on your teeth.
So in summary, sticking with plain water is always the smartest choice for a healthy mouth. But when a fun, fizzy drink is calling your name make sure to check the ingredients and choose a drink without added sugars and ingredients you can't pronounce, and try to steer clear of acidic flavors.
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Your gut and your mouth are connected by virtue of your human anatomy. Not only are they literally connected like two stops on the same bus line, they also share an epithelial lining which is loaded with microbes. These microbes contribute to your immunity, as well as your susceptibility to disease, so if the microbes in your mouth are "off" so are the ones in your gut. Called dysbiosis, this upset in your natural bacterial state can make you susceptible to pathogenic bacteria or "bad bugs" that take advantage of your microbial weakness and proceed to pounce in attack.
For example, IBD or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (like Chrohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) is characterized by uncontrolled inflammation that leads to damage to the intestinal barrier.
Patients with IBD often have inflammation of the oral mucosa and up to 80% of patients with Crohn's have symptoms of oral disease, like Gingivitis and Periodontitis (characterized by inflamed, bleeding gums). Dysbiosis of the microbiota, damage to the mucosal membranes and altered immune response are shared conditions by IBD and these oral diseases, so treating inflammation in the mouth and the gut is important. Ironically oral inflammation is often discovered before signs of inflammatory bowel disease begin, so regular dental visits are key for early detection and preventative health measures. And finding a good dentist who investigates your overall health when viewing your mouth is equally as important!
]]>Is your coffee causing your cavities? The answer is most likely, yes.
Sipping on coffee with added sugar for an extended period of time increases your chance of cavities, enamel erosion and an imbalanced oral microbiome. Even a latte without syrups added can cause damage (because milk inherently has sugar).
But don’t worry, we’re not here to tell you that you can’t have your morning cup of joe. Simple modifications to what you drink or how you drink it can help improve the outcome for your teeth.
1. First, start by drinking your cup of coffee within a 20 minute time period. Decreasing the time that your teeth are in contact with your coffee will allow your mouth to normalize its pH levels more quickly and will allow your saliva to wash away the “sugar bugs” before they start to damage your teeth.
2. Secondly, opt for healthy sugar-free substitutes like Stevia, Xylitol or our personal favorite, Erythritol. Both Xylitol and Erythritol are actually good for your teeth because cavity-causing bacteria cannot metabolize them and they die off, causing no damage to your teeth but tasting just as sweet as sugar! And Erythritol has a glycemic index of 0, plus it it doesn’t cause gastrointestinal issues. You can also opt for sugar-free milk substitutes, which are also healthier for your body!
3. Lastly, swish water in your mouth after finishing your coffee. Water also helps normalize the pH level of your mouth and rinses the leftover sugar off your teeth
So continue to enjoy your delicious cup of goodness but do so in a healthier, tooth-happier way!
A dental probiotic (also called an oral probiotic) is exactly what it sounds like, a probiotic for your teeth and mouth. But if you're still scratching your head about what that really means, read on to learn more.
The US Department of Health defines a probiotic as “live microorganisms that are intended to have health benefits when consumed or applied to the body.”(1) These probiotic microorganisms, or good bacteria, help us fight disease, digest food, and keep our microbiomes in balance which results in good health. When we are imbalanced, or have an overgrowth of bad bacteria, it can result in inflammation, chronic diseases, tooth decay and more.
The bad bacteria that live in your mouth that are primarily responsible for cavities and tooth decay are called Streptococcus mutans. The probiotic strains that we included in our SUPER TEETH Dental Probiotic fight against Streptococcus mutans and the harmful acidic environment they produce in the mouth. They also help break up the plaque on your teeth.
Dental probiotics are taken differently than gut probiotics. Gut probiotics do their work in your gastrointestinal tract so they must be swallowed and make their way through your stomach to get to the place where they do their job. A dental probiotic does its work right in your mouth, so it needs to be savored in the mouth like a mint. This allows the good bacteria to populate your oral cavity. Once they’ve taken home there, they go to work fighting Streptococcus mutans and creating balance and harmony.
If you aren’t taking a dental probiotic you’re missing the opportunity to give yourself and your family an extra layer of protection your teeth need in the fight for a healthy mouth. SUPER TEETH Dental Probiotic offers a unique blend of good bacteria strains that populate your mouth and go to work for you even when oral health isn't on your mind.
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Everyone is born with bacteria throughout their bodies, and we mean a LOT of bacteria. Estimates from a clinical study stated there are approximately 38 trillion bacteria in the human body.(1) Some are good, but some are bad. It’s when we have an imbalance of these good and bad bacteria that we start to experience health issues like inflammation and disease.
Just like your body, your mouth is teeming with tons of bacteria. There are over 700 different types of bacteria that have been found in the human mouth, with each of us having a unique mix that make up our oral microbiome (the community of bacteria in our mouths). When the bad bacteria outnumber the good, diseases like dental caries (cavities), gingivitis, gum disease, bad breath, and ear/nose/throat infections arise. These diseases are all caused by having too many bad bacteria in your mouth. But how does this imbalance occur you might wonder? Good question!
Your diet, your level of stress, and the make up of your oral microbiome all play a role in the amount of good and bad bacteria that you have in your mouth. Eating sugary foods, and habits like constant snacking, increase the number of bad bacteria by fueling them with food to eat which allows them to thrive and multiply. You and your kiddos can brush, floss and even eat well but still seem to have cavities every time you visit the dentist, which may be a result of not enough good bacteria living in your mouth.
This goes back to everyone having a different mix of good and bad bacteria in their mouths. Some people naturally have more good bacteria, which could be part of the reason friends of yours never seem to get cavities, and some people naturally have more bad bacteria, which is why it may seem that you can brush and floss daily and still end up with cavities. This is where taking a dental probiotic can even the playing field for your mouth.
Taking a dental probiotic daily is a great way to boost the good bacteria your mouth needs to fight the bad bacteria. Along with brushing and flossing your teeth, taking a dental probiotic can help prevent tooth decay and cavities and naturally increases the number of good bacteria in the mouth leading to a balanced oral microbiome. SUPER TEETH Dental Probiotic has a unique blend of good bacteria strains that go to work right in your mouth so you have a fighting chance against those bad bacteria.
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Cavities are one of the most COMMON CHRONIC DISEASES of childhood in the United States. Although cavities are one of the most preventable diseases, the CDC reports that 1 in 5 (20%) children, ages 5 to 11 years old, have at least one untreated decayed tooth, and 1 in 7 (13%) adolescents, ages 12 to 19 years old, have at least one untreated decayed tooth.(1) Many parents may not think that a baby tooth with a cavity is a big deal since it will eventually fall out, but that is a common misconception.
A cavity is caused by bacteria in the mouth, and unfortunately bacteria doesn’t just stop at the tooth. If left untreated, an infection on a baby tooth can creep down to the developing permanent teeth below. If the baby tooth needs to be pulled prematurely due to infection, the empty space where the tooth used to be could cause tooth alignment issues for permanent teeth which can further increase the risk of cavities in the future. Yikes!
For most people cavities and tooth decay can be largely preventable. Improper brushing, poor oral care habits, diet, and frequency of snacking are some of the biggest culprits for tooth decay, especially in kids. Most children don’t know how to brush their teeth properly and need help and guidance from adults. Unfortunately though, teeth brushing occurs at two very inconvenient times of the day (in the morning when we’re racing to get out the door and in the evening when we’re tired) so our children’s oral health can suffer as a result.
While brushing and flossing are very important in preventing cavities, scientists have discovered another way to help fight bad bacteria throughout the day – when it matters the most. If you’re familiar with probiotics and the incredible benefits they have for gut health, then you’ll be happy to hear that there is a different type of probiotic that has incredible benefits for your mouth. These probiotics prohibit activity of damaging bacteria (the ones responsible for cavities) and are called dental probiotics. What is a dental probiotic you might wonder? Get your geek on and read about the science behind our dental probiotics to find out!