Believe it or not, the status of your digestive health begins with your mouth. Your mouth and gut have a close connection, which means that sometimes digestive complications can be linked to oral complications, and your oral health can indicate how stable your gut health truly is. In addition, if you are neglecting to prioritize your oral health, your gut health will reap the consequences. Understanding this connection between the two sectors of one’s health is essential to properly maintaining one’s overall health. To help you better understand the link between your oral and gut health, we have compiled ways to identify the impact of said connection and ways to support each sector of one’s health.
Potential Oral Complications That Might Arise Due to An Unhealthy Digestive System
1. Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums are usually one of the first indicators that something has gone astray in your system. It is an inflammatory response caused by, but not limited to, vitamin deficiency, an overload of unhealthy bacteria, leaky gut, or certain digestive diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease.
2. Red Patches on Cheeks
Sometimes, red patches can appear on the inside of your cheeks. A lack of vitamin B12 can cause this to happen. Certain diseases or complications can cause a person’s body to struggle to absorb vitamin B12. Taking a digestive enzyme supplement can be a great way to support your body in absorbing this vitamin and any other vitamins you consume daily.
3. Oral Candida
A candida infection can occur in the mouth when we participate in activities promoting an unhealthy gut. These activities can include but are not limited to, eating foods that are high in processed sugars/fats and taking antibiotics. It is crucial to avoid activities known to cause a rise in unhealthy bacteria or that can destroy your healthy bacteria. Oral candida can also be an indicator that there are complications in your immune system.
These are just some of the many oral complications that can arise due to digestive issues. However, it is essential to note that these oral complications can also manifest due to other issues in your system, so it is essential to refer your physician or dentist for further examination.
How Best To Maintain Your Oral Health to Promote a Healthy Digestive System
Oral health is a part of everyone’s daily life. We all wake up and know the first thing we must do is brush our teeth. We end our days in a similar fashion, and yet, we struggle to truly understand the importance of dedicating time to oral health. Proper oral health care requires more than just you and your toothbrush. Let us dive into how you can elevate your oral health routine for a brighter smile and a happier gut.
1. Floss
Aside from brushing, flossing is one of the most commonly known oral health activities. However, it is often neglected by many. Neglecting to floss can cause your teeth to become more yellow, the plaque in between your teeth to calcify, and can cause an infestation of bacteria. It is crucial to floss every single day – preferably every time after eating – in order to get those pesky pieces of food from in between your teeth. If you leave this food to fester, the plaque and tartar will start to build.
2. Tongue Scraping
With the high attention to detail that teeth hygiene requires, it can be easy to forget about your tongue, but you must prioritize your tongue as much as your teeth. Tongue scraping can help to remove any debris or bacteria that has accumulated on the tongue. When the tongue is neglected, these debris can be one of the main contributors to bad breath.
3. Avoid Smoking and Drinking Alcohol
Try to avoid these activities as much as possible, because they negatively impact your teeth. They are harsh factors that will deteriorate and discolor your teeth. If you do choose to participate in these activities, be extra diligent about your cleaning routine.
These are just some of many ways you can work to build a stronger oral health routine. Not only will your mouth thank you for your diligence, but your gut will as well!
How Best to Maintain Your Digestive Health to Avoid Triggering Issues For Your Oral Health
Now that we have covered how best to take care of your teeth, let us dive into how best to take care of your gut!
Achieving a healthy gut is a lifelong journey that requires constant diligence. Here are some essential ways to keep your gut health in order.
- Take a Pre and Probiotic Supplement - Both pre and probiotics are vitamins that help to reduce bloating by supporting the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut. Your gut microbiome can be made up of both unhealthy and healthy bacteria. It is up to each individual to foster a healthy environment for the bacteria to thrive. Taking a pre and probiotic supplement is one way to do so, but also be sure to prioritize eating whole foods, drinking plenty of water, and getting enough sleep each night.
- Reduce Stress Levels - The gut is truly connected to all systems in your body. The connection between your gut and mind has incredible power to benefit or negatively impact you. It is crucial that you avoid stress and/or burnout to avoid feeling the negative impact in your gut. Some digestive ailments that can rise due to poor mental health include, but are not limited to, bloating, constipation, and acid reflux.
- Increase Your Vitamin Intake - Whether it is through women wellness supplements or the foods you consume, make sure to prioritize essential vitamins and nutrients in your diet. This will help to strengthen your gut microbiome and all aspects of your body – including your teeth! If you are unsure as to what vitamins you are lacking or ignoring, be sure to reach out to your physician.
Be sure to check back this month for more gut health tips and tricks!