Balance of the microbiome is crucial to wellness

The human microbiome is the collection of trillions of microbes that live in and on the body. Over the past several years, research scientists have found that the microbiome plays a crucial role in numerous aspects of human biology and disease.

People’s familiarity with the microbiome may in many cases be limited to gut flora. Web, television and print advertisements for probiotics and other products developed to boost digestion and other supposed benefits are hard to miss.

The gut microbiome is significantly important to health, but there are other microbiomes in the body that play key roles in health and wellness. The mouth, skin and stomach each have their own microbiomes. Dr. Kareneh Jahan, a holistic dentist who founded Brio Dental in Oregon, stresses the importance of the oral biome and its overall impact on your health.

Everybody knows that you’re supposed to brush and floss, but there’s a lot more involved in having strong teeth and a healthy mouth,” Jahan says. “Although they are great forms of topical treatment, you need to view the health of your mouth holistically.”

Although the mouth is part of the gastrointestinal system, or gut, Jahan explains some bacteria in the mouth can be both aerobic and anaerobic. This means they need oxygen to survive. Common areas within the mouth where bacteria colonize include gum cavities, parts of the tonsils and the enamel surface of the teeth. Some of these bacteria are essential to create a balance between healthy and potentially harmful bacterial populations, she says.

“If certain pathogens in your mouth overgrow due to poor hygiene, diet, reduced salivary flow or stress, they can cross the thin tissue walls of your gums, enter your bloodstream and travel to other areas in your body,” Jahan explains. “This process has been associated with a number of illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and depression.”

When she meets with patients at her dental practice, Jahan says she discusses biome-related topics and how they can impact a patient’s overall health. One key point she often raises is how heightened stress can negatively affect health. Chronic stress can cause systemic acidity within the body, as well as within the mouth, and it’s the harmful bacteria that tend to thrive in acidic environments, she adds. Buildup of bacteria can lead to inflammation, which can contribute to a several health problems including cavities and the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

“Which is where holistic dentistry comes into play and how we take a whole-body approach,” Jahan says.

She advises people with GERD to avoid using over-the-counter medications for the condition. These drugs can lower the body’s systemic PH that helps to balance acidity levels. GERD should be approached holistically, with the intent to get to the root of the problem, rather than treating symptoms of the condition.

Jahan recommends people with GERD decrease consumption of sugar and trans fats, and reduce the frequency of late-night snacking. They should also increase fiber intake, eat whole foods, consume organic apple cider vinegar and take zinc supplements. Doing these can treat GERD and reduce halitosis, she adds.

Holistically treating the body is akin to attempting to heal a wound, Jahan says. There is more to treating a wound than using antibiotic ointment and wrapping in a bandage. Just as a healthy lifestyle enables the body to heal better, it also translates into improving balance of the microbiomes, she says.

“You’ve got to be healthy overall to be able to heal properly, and the same mentality applies to cavities all the way to the body’s many microbiomes,” Jahan explains. “My main solution is to really focus on stress/anxiety management, proper supplementation to give your body the building blocks your teeth need to re-mineralize and strengthen.”

Her approach is an attempt to inspire her patients to make healthy choices that have an overall positive impact on their health.

“Ask yourself if you are at all managing your stress, how much water you’re taking in,” she says. “All those sorts of things are going to bring about balance in your oral environment.”