According to the Oral Health Foundation, almost 2 in 5 adults don’t visit a dentist regularly, 1 in 3 have tooth decay, and there are 8,772 new cases of mouth cancer each year.
These stark statistics make us glad that National Smile Month is back again – it began on May 13th and continues until June 13th, with the aim of helping everyone achieve a healthy mouth and avoid preventable oral health issues.
While we often think of oral health as simply having healthy teeth, there is growing evidence suggesting that the health of our mouths may have a much broader impact on our overall health and wellbeing. In fact, studies have linked oral diseases to chronic systemic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and even dementia.
During June, we will take a closer look at the intriguing link between oral health and overall health. We will uncover the potential implications, shed light on common problems, and provide valuable information and tips about how to practise good oral hygiene. We will look at how the health of your teeth encompasses the health of various anatomical structures such as the gums, bones, ligaments, and nerves. Furthermore, good oral health contributes to our self-image and overall sense of wellbeing. In essence, good oral health can have a positive impact on your quality of life.
In this video, I talk about my own experience with dental care as child – how I had amalgam fillings (which I had removed 30 years ago) that left me with weakened teeth. This has, however, made me even more fastidious with my oral hygiene practices. In the video, I also talk about types of toothbrushes (electric vs manual), oil-pulling, dental flossing, water flossers and tongue scraping.
The four key messages for great oral health from the National Smith Month charity are:
- Brush your teeth for two minutes, last thing at night and one other time during the day, with a fluoride toothpaste. (Note: fluoride in toothpaste is a contentious issue as fluoride has been found to be a neurotoxin and may also affect the strength of bones).
- Clean between your teeth with interdental brushes or floss and use mouthwash (ideally non-alcohol) every day.
- Cut down on the quantity and frequency of sugary foods and drinks.
- Visit a dentist regularly, minimum twice a year.
As with so many other areas of our physical health, it is important to take a holistic view when it comes to oral health, taking into account factors such as nutrition, stress, sleep, and gut health.
Did you know that your mouth has its own microbiome?
Just as with your gut, if your oral microbiome is out of balance, it can cause all manner of diseases, both in the mouth and elsewhere in the body. Poor oral health can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
If someone happens to mention that they have gum disease, dry mouth syndrome, mouth ulcers, or oral canker sores, I will often recommend that they open one of our Live Bacteria capsules and mix the powder with a little water and use it as a mouthwash for a few minutes, then spit it out. They can also mix the powder with a little coconut oil and use it during an oil-pulling session.
If you have a question about a digestive and gut health issue or would like to know more about a tailored natural supplement protocol, please get in touch.
