Gut Health New York, NY
Many patients are surprised to learn that gut health is inextricably linked to oral health. Similarly, oral health and overall health are linked together. A total health dentist understands how to examine the oral microbiome for signs of health issues.
Gut health treatment is available at M.Y. Dental Spa in New York and the surrounding area. Choosing a total health dentist as your primary dental care provider may improve your overall health. Call us today at (212) 786-5757 to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services.
Oral Microbiome
The mouth, much like the digestive system, is host to several microscopic organisms such as bacteria, yeast, and fungi. Microorganism populations that colonize in the body are called microbiota or microbiome. The oral microbiome is largely helpful, protecting the body from unwanted stimuli and harmful bacteria that cause gum disease and bad breath. However, if oral bacteria become overgrown, unbalanced, or spread to other parts of the body, it can negatively affect a person's health.
Therefore, maintaining the right balance of bacteria in the mouth is essential to good health. Overgrown oral microbiota can travel through the body via swallowed saliva, nutrients, and drinks and interact with other microbiomes in other body sites. Problematic bacteria that make it through the digestive system, for example, can further disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome, potentially contributing to several serious health problems.
“Maintaining the right balance of bacteria in the mouth is essential to good health.”
Oral Health and Gut Microbiome
The digestive system also relies on the beneficial gut microbiome to protect and maintain the tissue function of the intestine lining. Displaced oral bacteria can cause an imbalance in gut microbiota, a condition called gut dysbiosis. Overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the gut can further incite an inflammatory response and cause a leak in the intestinal lining—a syndrome called "leaky gut."
Several serious diseases get linked to oral bacteria that have colonized in otherwise healthy intestines. For example, bacteria from gingivitis and periodontitis remain robust, surviving the harsh digestive stomach acids. If these bacteria migrate beyond the stomach and into the colon, they can influence the structure and function of colon cells, potentially leading to cancer.
Diseases associated with the presence of increased oral bacteria in the gut or persistent gut dysbiosis include inflammatory bowel disease, HIV infection, liver cirrhosis, colon cancer, gastroesophageal, reflux, and alcoholism. Maintaining good oral health—and by extension, good gut health—is a critical strategy in preventing select health problems.
“Several serious diseases get linked to oral bacteria that have colonized in otherwise healthy intestines.”
Oral Health and Other Body Systems
A balanced microbiome is a sign of health to the immune system. The body's microbiome serves as a signal of homeostasis in which the overgrowth of certain oral bacteria provokes an immune response. Both oral and gut dysbiosis get associated with people who have chronic inflammation (for example, in rheumatoid arthritis) or complications related to the immune system.
The endocrine system, which functions to maintain homeostasis through hormone secretions, is also influenced by oral health. Changes in the oral microbiome signal a shift in homeostasis and compel the endocrine system to adapt and release excess hormones. Often, the first signs of endocrine dysfunction are recognized during a dental examination.
Poor oral health can also affect your metabolism. For example, oral bacteria causing damage to the intestine further affects the gut's ability to metabolically regulate fat and insulin levels. Some healthy gut microbiota interacts with undigested carbohydrates and helps the body store fats. When the gut microbiome gets disrupted, diseases like diabetes and metabolic syndrome may arise.
“Overgrowth of certain oral bacteria may provoke an immune response.”
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The Oral-Gut-Brain Connection
Several recent studies have confirmed the gut's connection to the brain, heart, and liver — but these studies often neglect to discuss the impact of oral health on the gut microbiome. Dysbiosis of both oral and gut microbiome can influence mental health and may contribute to degenerative diseases like dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
An unbalanced microbiome can affect the brain both directly and indirectly. For one, dysbiosis may stimulate the formation of plaques, which get tangled in brain tissue and neural fibers, impairing brain function. Second, metabolites produced by certain bacteria in the gut can interfere with special immune cells found in the brain, called microglia, which elicit an inflammatory response damaging to healthy brain tissue.
“Dysbiosis of both oral and gut microbiome can influence mental health.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What is the oral microbiome?
Q. How does oral health affect the digestive system?
Q. How does oral health affect other body systems?
Q. How do gut issues related to the oral microbiome affect the brain?
Q. What are ways to maintain oral health to keep the gut healthy?
People Also Ask
Q. What preexisting conditions are linked to oral health?
Q. Are oral conditions genetic or a result of environmental factors?
Q. What services are offered by a general dentist?
Q. What are some risk factors for oral cancer?
Q. What are some conditions that a complete health dentist can diagnose?
Dental Procedures That Promote Gut Health
Practicing good oral hygiene serves the smile and helps a person become less vulnerable to disease. What are some of the ways a person can ensure oral health corresponds to a healthy gut?
- Eat fiber-rich foods that help keep teeth naturally clean (apples, beans, lentils, broccoli) and probiotic-rich foods to help the gut recover a balanced microbiome.
- Maintain good dental hygiene, including daily brushing and flossing to remove plaque buildup around the teeth and tongue.
- Schedule regular dental check-ups and teeth cleanings, and remember, some oral symptoms are a sign of underlying disease.
When a person selects a total health dentist as a primary dental care provider, they will experience a more comprehensive approach to oral health that is thoughtful of their overall health. Understanding the connection between oral health and body systems is important, and total health dentistry is crucial both in preventative care and managing chronic conditions.
Total health dentists offer procedures and services that go beyond traditional dental care:
- Blood pressure screening
- Diagnosis of oral diseases and testing oral microbiota
- Disease prevention services
- Evaluation of digestive health and conditions linked to dental health
- Treatment plans to restore oral health
“Total health dentistry is a crucial part of preventative care.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the oral and gut microbiome?
A. The oral and gut microbiome describes a collective colony of microscopic organisms. They include bacteria that inhabit the soft tissues of your mouth and digestive system, respectively. The gut microbiome is the largest microbiome in the body with the second largest being the mouth.
Q. How does the microbiome affect my health?
A. Beneficial microbiota fights off harmful bacteria and stimuli and helps maintain homeostasis. But if problematic bacteria become overgrown or spread, they can cause damage to healthy tissue. This can mess with body functions, inviting inflammation and disease.
Q. How are oral health and gut health linked?
A. The mouth is the gateway to the digestive system, and if harmful bacteria associated with oral health migrate to the gut, the gut microbiome becomes unbalanced. That signals to the immune system that something is off and sets off an inflammatory response. Unwanted inflammation can damage the tissue lining the gut resulting in "leaky gut" syndrome.
Q. What can I do to improve oral health?
A. Eating fiber-rich and probiotic-rich foods help naturally keep the mouth clean while supporting healthy digestion. Of course, maintaining daily dental hygiene habits accompanied by regular dental check-ups will help you improve your oral health.
Q. Why is total health dentistry important for overall health?
A. Studies show that the health of the mouth and the health of the body are closely related. Adopting healthy dental habits may reduce your risk of developing other health problems. Ask your total health dentist what changes you can make to ensure good overall health.
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Dental Terminology
Call Us Today
Proper gut health maintenance is critical to good oral and overall health. We at M.Y. Dental Spa may be able to help. Call us today at 212-786-5757 to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2025
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