Oral hygiene is not a major concern in chronic diseases. But let us not forget that the oral cavity is the starting point of the gastrointestinal tract, and some studies suggest that oral bacteria can impact the gut. This is vital in the prevention and treatment of stomach-related diseases, where the oral space can be envisaged as the seeding ground for gastrointestinal strains. This blog discusses the relationships between oral bacteria and diseases of the stomach, the processes through which these bacteria affect the stomach, and approaches to mitigate such problems.
How Oral Bacteria Travels to the Stomach
The digestive cycle starts in the oral cavity where the food is ground mechanically and mixed with saliva, containing enzymes that already commence the carb digestion by the addition of food. Dangerous oral flora can also stick to food bits or get suspended in the saliva and, thereby, gain easy access into the colon.
Even though the acidic food contents of the stomach kill many pathogens during the digestion process, a few such as the lactobacili are acid resistant and remain alive long enough to affect the stomach lining as well as the intestines
One of the clinically relevant resident oral bacteria with known risk in the development of cariogenic opportunistic infections is Streptococcus mutans and subgingival cello of the gum disease causing Porphyromonas gingivalis. These bacteria may spread to systemic environments like the stomach if they are not contained.
Additionally, they can upend the equilibrium of the gut flora which in turn leads to various gastrointestinal manifestations including bloating, diarrhea, constipation, or even more serious long-term diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease.
Types of Stomach Problems Linked to Oral Bacteria
Gastric Ulcers
Some of the studies try to explain the relationship between oral flora and gastric ulcers. Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium known to be associated with over 70% of peptic ulcers, colonizes the human mouth and stomach. A combination of poor oral hygiene and other biological factors helps these bacteria grow and colonize the gastric epithelium where ulcers are formed.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
GERD is a chronic digestive disease characterized by the backflow of stomach contents including acid into the esophagus which causes heartburn and other forms of discomfort and irritation. While GERD is primarily the disease of the digestive system, there are oral manifestations such as oral malodor and damage to the outer surface of the tooth which is known as enamel.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Although research has yet to prove the connection of oral bacteria to inflammatory bowel disease inflammatory bowel disease includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. A number of studies have shown that the oral cavity with its large number of pathogens can cause an infection of the intestines which can worsen symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease.
Dysbiosis & Digestive Disturbance
Gut microbiota is a diverse population of bacteria that lives in the intestinal tract and is useful in the process of digestion, absorbing nutrients and is also essential for bodily defense. The oral cavity serves housing space for various transformative bacteria, when these bacteria become overt nature, demands over this balance persists and this could lead to multiple digestive problems.
Indications of Stomach Disorders Associated with Oral Health
Chronic Bad Breath
Halitosis characterized by bad smell of the mouth is very common, but chronic bad breath may also from overpopulation of bad bacteria in the masticatory organ and gut system. Chronic bad odor contained in the mouth within digestive discomfort may suggest excessive bacterial overgrowth that is difficult to eradicate.
Frequent Indigestion
Indigestion involves the feeling of bloating and gas and other related discomforts. This could be because the chew of food is improper. Since there are certain defects in the teeth, there are also factors where the harmful microbes are causing ill health of digestive organs. Poor oral hygiene could fuel the risk of suffering from futile stomach digestion.
Enamel Erosion
Repetitive episodes of vomiting or acid ‘bring up’ may result in the loss of the surface layer of the tooth. The outlook which is thought to be the link between acid from the stomach and from oral cavity is often the element that suggests oral microbes may be aggravating imbalances within the digestive system.
Prevention and Control
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
Brushing and flossing your teeth on regular basis keep a check on unreasonable deposition of bacteria that could worsen the condition of a person’s gum and the digestive tract.
The use of an antibacterial mouthwash will still pose a further risk to bacteria that may enter the stomach.
Regular Dental Checkups
Make sure you visit your dentist at least two times per year for cleanings and checkups. Health problems such as gum disease can easily be diagnosed and treated by dental professionals before they get worse.
Dietary Changes
A high-sugar diet is favorable for the colonization of opportunistic bacteria in the mouth. Reducing sugar and having a healthy diet containing a lot of fiber, fruits, and vegetables will help one in terms of oral health as well as digestive health.
Probiotics
Probiotic supplements or probiotic containing foods like yogurt and kefir can help restore the good bacteria in the gut. This can prevent the harmful oral bacteria that have been swallowed into the Digestive system from working properly.
Hydration
Drinking water helps to wash away food particles and bacteria from the mouth and hence, the reason for bacterial overgrowth is reduced. Drinking plenty of water also helps to maintain the flow of saliva, which helps to kill off the bacteria and other harmful pathogens present in the mouth.
Conclusion
The relationship between oral hygiene and stomach conditions is obvious. The oral cavity is a reservoir of bacteria which may be transmitted into the stomach from where imbalance in the gut flora can result in digestive problems such as swallowing problems, self-induced vomiting, acid reflux, or an alteration in gut bacteria from the normal state known as dysbiosis.
It is important to control the inflammatory processes in mouth and digestive tract, constantly removing carriers of pathogenic bacteria from the organism. It is important to maintain a beautiful and healthy teeth and functional digestive system without taking people’s health under risks. By taking care of systemic diseases and chewing problems, there is a reduction in the chances of getting stomach issues which are due to oral bacteria.