Oral Health and Gut Health

Do you live with chronic gastrointestinal problems? If you don’t, chances are you know someone who does. Luckily, researchers have discovered something that may bring us one step closer to successfully treating conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis—and it relates to your oral health.

Microbes, Your Mouth, and the Gut

There are microbes, or microscopic organisms, throughout your entire body. This includes bacteria that live in places such as your mouth and your gut. Some of this bacteria is good, and some of it is bad. Some research indicates that even some of the good bacteria or microbes, when transferred to the wrong part of the body, become problematic. This may be the case for several chronic gastrointestinal problems.

Research shows that a strain of oral bacteria may trigger certain conditions when it lodges in the gut. Further research needs to be done on the two strains of Klebsiella that researchers found to trigger an immune response or be present in ulcerative colitis patients, but there certainly seems to be a correlation to the bacteria and the gut problems.

Keeping Oral Health in Check

These findings add to the growing list of ways your overall health is connected to your oral health. Make sure you are caring for your mouth by brushing and flossing regularly (and using the correct techniques), and scheduling routine dentist visits. To schedule an appointment, call our office at 952-443-3368.