Abstract

When it comes to health, never miss the beginning. While we have heard that all diseases begin in the gut, it is fascinating to learn that the salivary microbiome- the billion of microbes living inside our mouth is foundational to what happens inside the gut & the functions trillions of gut microbes perform which is foundational to mitochondrial function, efficiency & biogenesis.

Oral microbiome is the gateway for overall health & dysbiosis of oral microbiome not only causes oral diseases but has downstream impact of multiple systemic diseases including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease & more.

Our mouth has a mucosal barrier which prevents the constant flow of bacteria, food, chemical & microbial derived metabolites into the bloodstream. Unlike gastrointestinal barrier( gut lining), mucosal barrier in the mouth is thicker yet selectively permeable. While it blocks many things from entering the bloodstream, it also lets few things enter the bloodstream. Sometimes, it lets in too much even certain bacteria which creates a situation called bacteremia which can impact systemic health issues.

Saliva is one the most important elements of our oral health. It regulates the oral pH level by keeping calcium & phosphate levels high. Saliva is packed with substances which prevents certain microbes from doing pathogenic activity & balances the oral microbiome. It also provides nutrition to microbes in our mouth while washing out bacteria from the teeth. Everyday, we swallow 1.5 liters of saliva through which different oral microbes transit from mouth to different organs including gastrointestinal tract. In fact both mouth & gut share about 80% of microbiome. When the oral microbiome is imbalanced or there is oral dysbiosis, it allows pathogenic bugs to move to other tissues including gut which could trigger systemic inflammation

Apart from improper nutrition, wrong oral hygiene practices could disrupt oral microbiome, lead to dry mouth, alter oral pH,demineralises the teeth & creates an acidic environment, thereby leading to inflammation in the mouth. This inflammation over time could create a situation of leaky gums which allows oral microbes & their metabolic/toxic byproducts to enter the bloodstream & translocate to other body organs, leading to onset of metabolic & other systemic diseases.

One molecule which is claimed to be healthy & used to reduce cavities, FLUORIDE is said to trigger onset of chronic diseases

The Fluoride effect

All the biochemistry folks may remember the periodic table elements where in Fluorine is an electronegative element & can be transformed into fluoride when combined with another molecule (Fluorine converts into Fluoride by gaining an electron which results in negatively charged ion, the oxidation state changes from 0 to -1). Fluoride is said to steal electrons from other molecules. In other words, Fluoride could oxidize other molecules & cause oxidative stress. We know that oxidative stress could cause a wave of metabolic diseases. For instance, oxidative stress could oxidise BH4, which is one of the co-factor involved in production of nitric oxide- the signalling molecule that dilates blood vessels & regulate blood pressure. Oxidative stress disrupts nitric oxide production leading to various metabolic diseases.

In spite of doctors recommending Fluoride to tackle with cavities & toothpaste companies including this harmful molecule in their toothpaste & oral care products, it has been found that Fluoride is not naturally found in our body, is not biomimetic & is said to alter the oral pH level.

However, the negative impact of fluoride has a widespread systemic impact on overall health.

A.Sleep Issues: Fluorosis could make fluoride enter the pineal gland & disrupt melatonin production, thereby directly impacting our sleep & even increasing risk of sleep apnea(1).

B.Lower IQ in children: In research it has been found that Fluoride is a neurotoxin & could cause inflammation in the brain & impact neurodevelopment in children(2). In fact, it has also been found that mother’s exposure to high Fluoride during pregnancy was associated with lower IQ scores in children in the age band of 3-4 years(3).

C. Disrupted Thyroid Function: High Fluoride exposure is also connected with instances of hypothyroidism & thyroid related diseases(4).

In order to fix your health at the system biology level,  you should relook at your oral hygiene choices. Your toothpaste should be/have

1. Fluoride free & rich in hydroxyapatite( form of calcium). Hydroxyapatite is biomimetic & is found in enamel. It boosts saliva production & is a remineralising agent. It works by filling in the tiny weak spots in the enamel. This makes your tooth resistant to decay, develops a protective layer & even reduces tooth sensitivity.
2. Minerals such as phosphorus: When we consume food, our teeth interact with the nutrients & in this process demineralises the teeth.Therefore we need  to remineralise the teeth. Your toothpaste should have minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium & potassium that could remineralise the teeth
3. Fructooligosaccharides (FOS): FOS reduces the production of volatile sulphur compounds such as H2S, Methyl mercaptan & Ammonia production & helps curb bad breath
4. Antioxidants: Certain antioxidants could help suppress oxidative damage caused by oxidation process & help prevent damage to cells in the mouth

However, to understand the state of your oral biology, the first step is to measure functions of your oral microbiome. We are the only company in India that measures your oral & gut microbiome functions & health of mitochondria & deliver interventions that can curb bad breath, prevent gum disease & onset of other metabolic diseases. More details here: www.genefitletics.com/orahyg

Citations

(1)https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7893939/

(2)https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2748634

(3)https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3491930/