If left unattended, the bacteria in your mouth can cause serious health issues, including pneumonia and heart disease. It may come as a surprise, but a recent study revealed that bacteria in our mouths can also travel to our gut and contribute to irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s, as these debilitating conditions appear to have ultra-high levels of oral bacteria present in stool samples.
The connection between mouth and bowel disorders
International researchers published a study in the journal Science, which looked into the connections between mouth bacteria and bowel disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s. The researchers noted that people with these disorders seemed to have ultra-high levels of oral bacteria in their stool samples, which means there is also a higher level of this bacteria present in their gut.
Furthermore, the research team took the saliva from people with Crohn’s disease and implanted it into the guts of mice, resulting in many of them developing gut inflammation. This experiment was replicated using saliva from people with ulcerative colitis and produced the same result – intestinal inflammation.
The findings pointed to a type of bacteria called Klebsiella pneumoniae, which is a common strain in the human mouth but not usually found in the gut. This antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been known to cause issues from pneumonia to sepsis. The researchers are exploring whether these bacteria could potentially be instigating or exacerbating bowel disorders.
How to keep mouth bacteria at bay
There are plenty of health reasons to maintain oral hygiene, as there are proven connections between mouth bacteria and pneumonia, heart disease, and esophageal cancer. Studies even suggest links between gum disease and dementia.
You may be wondering how you can best minimize potentially dangerous oral bacteria. Beyond brushing your teeth twice a day and visiting the dentist twice yearly for cleanings, you can also:
- Practice oil pulling, which involves swishing a tablespoon of oil (such as coconut, sesame, or olive oil) in your mouth for up to 20 minutes. This ancient Ayurvedic technique has been known to help remove bacteria and promote oral health.
- Invest in a natural antibacterial mouthwash, like one made with tea tree oil, which is a powerful antibacterial and antifungal agent.
- Drink more green tea as it is packed with natural antioxidants called catechins that help fight mouth bacteria.
- Cut back on sweets and sugary drinks since sugar feeds the bad bacteria in your mouth.
- Buy a tongue scraper – this small tool can be used to clean your tongue and remove any plaque or build-up that may be harboring bacteria.
- Try taking an oral probiotic supplement to encourage the growth of good bacteria, which can help to keep bad bacteria levels down.
In conclusion, looking after our oral health and hygiene not only helps to prevent gum disease, bad breath, and tooth decay, it also plays a crucial role in the prevention of many other serious health issues. Keeping your mouth clean and free from harmful bacteria can have a significant positive impact on your overall health and wellbeing.
