Do you know what kind of bacteria is in your mouth and how it affects the rest of your body?
“Human trial finds common food additive alters the gut microbiome”
So let's talk about the oral microbiome.
A microbiome is a group of microorganisms that live inside and outside of the body and are both helpful and potentially harmful. For example, microbes contribute to our mood, concentration, memory weight, digestion.
When the oral microbiome is in a state of balance, otherwise known as microbial homeostasis, its nature is very different from its nature when it’s in an imbalanced state. The ecosystems in your mouth are referred to as the oral biofilm or plaque. A balanced oral microbiome consists of bacteria that are mostly aerobic—meaning they rely on oxygen to live. They form a thin, protective, clear, and odourless film. Your teeth feel squeaky-clean and your gums appear pink and well-oxygenated in this balanced state.
The understanding of the entire human microbiome has helped us redefine what it means to be human. We are a composite of many species, and there is a symbiotic relationship between man and microbe that is foundational to our ability to stay alive and thrive with countless bodily functions. In the mouth, this unique community of mostly bacterial organisms, known as the oral microbiome, is an intelligent, semipermeable membrane that performs vital functions to help keep our mouths healthy.
These functions include transporting ionic minerals from saliva to the surface of teeth to aid in remineralization, carrying molecular oxygen to the gums and soft tissue, and eliminating free radicals and other waste products from the surface. In addition to these important functions, the oral microbiome plays a vital role in protecting us from harmful environmental organisms. When imbalanced, this biofilm transforms into a thick, sticky, and smelly film, which is commonly observed as the off-white plaque film on your teeth in the morning.
Often this repetitive formation results from constant disturbances of the oral microbiome. It is important to note that in the human microbiome there is no such thing as “good bacteria” and “bad bacteria.” Rather, it’s just bacteria that behave well (probiotics), or those that behave poorly (pathogens), depending on the condition of their terrain. A number of species of bacteria in the mouth associated with tooth decay and gum disease are totally benign in a balanced oral microbiome. With this key understanding, we are able to treat the causes instead of the symptoms.
The gut is central to human health, and at its core, gut health is determined by the diversity and population of the gut microbiome (also known as gut microbiota or gut flora).