Exploring the vital link between oral health and overall well-being
Exploring the vital link between oral health and overall well-being
Maintaining oral hygiene is essential for overall well-being. Neglecting it can lead to periodontal disease, which not only affects oral health, but periodontal pathogens also impact systemic well-being. Since the mouth is connected to overall health, it’s crucial to go beyond brushing and flossing for proper oral care.
Link between oral microbiota and overall health
The oral microbiota, comprising 700 to 1000 bacterial species, maintains a delicate balance. Lifestyle factors like poor oral hygiene, smoking, and high sugar intake can disrupt this balance, leading to oral diseases like gingivitis, periodontitis, cavities, halitosis, and oral cancer. Beyond oral health, a disrupted oral microbiota can induce immune imbalance, causing local and systemic inflammation, contributing to chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s.
Oral microbiota as biomarker for human health
The oral microbiota plays a dual role as a biomarker for human health. Changes in the oral microbiota can not only contribute to systemic inflammation, leading to chronic diseases, but certain diseases can also directly affect its composition. As a result, systemic illnesses may first present through oral symptoms. Therefore, the oral microbiota holds promise as a potential indicator of overall health. Moreover, improving oral health can result in lasting advantages for overall well-being.
Opportunities for probiotics
Premium probiotic formulations offer targeted enhancement of oral health, supported by meta-analyses demonstrating efficacy in gingivitis and periodontitis treatment. They also complement traditional therapies like scaling and root planning for treating Periodontitis. They do this by inhibiting oral pathogen growth, competing for space, and regulating local immune responses.