When I first meet a patient, I always ask about bleeding gums and root canals because I am listening for potential areas of chronic disease.
The responses I get are often are:
- Yes, my gums bleed but only when I floss
- I had a root canal and they had to go in twice
- I have a tooth bothering me but my dentist said it was ok
- I have had several root canals all on the same side and same general area
These are all red flags! When I turn up an inflammatory marker on blood work then with this history I have to think of the mouth first.
However, many of us are walking around with pathogens in our mouth and we don’t even know it!! No big deal, as we don’t have any symptoms, right? Not so fast. When you learn that the bacteria in your mouth can be responsible for….
- Cancer in other areas of your body (colon, breast to name a few). If someone has had colon or breast cancer, if they have any mouth issues then the mouth is a very important area to evaluate.
- Dementia/Alzheimers
- Cardiovascular diseases – bacteria can contribute to plaque buildup in arteries
- Diabetes – severe gum disease can increase the risk of developing diabetes and make it harder to control your blood sugars if you are a diabetic
- Inflammatory bowel disease – remember, bacteria in your mouth are connected to your gut!
- Rheumatoid Arthritis – research shows there can be a connection between gum disease and this condition
- Preterm birth – oral infections during pregnancy can influence this outcome
The list actually goes on. I hope this gets your attention!
I know you are thinking but I take such good care of my teeth. I see the dentist regularly and floss. Can I still have bad bacteria in my mouth? Unfortunately, the answer is yes! Not only do we have bacteria enter our mouth from eating and drinking but these bacteria are also trans-kissable meaning if your partner has bad bacteria in their mouth and gum disease they can march right over to your mouth when you kiss them.
READ ON to learn 3 tips that go beyond your regular cleaning and the one saliva test you need to do right now to address and identify these bacteria BEFORE you have symptoms, not just in your mouth….
First and foremost, dental hygiene is key. We all have been doing this so long that we forget why exactly we are doing it and often many of us may take a few short cuts. Here are the basics that most of us know but often don’t do.
- Brush at least twice a day – have the toothbrush be partly on the gums and partly on the teeth for optimal cleaning
- Floss daily – don’t forget those back teeth that are hard to reach
- Get regular dental check ups. For some of you that may mean a good cleaning every 3-4 months!
Now for the bonus round of dental care…
- Use toothpicks. The good old fashioned wooden ones have been upgraded with bamboo specific for probing around each tooth not just to remove food but to break up the biofilm that forms in the gum line. There are also many other dental picks that can be used with soft bristles that are also good options but don’t forget to not only get between your teeth but probe the actual gum line. This turns out to be a very effective because the biofilm is what keeps these bacteria trapped. Do this before you brush.
- Use a Waterpik. There are so many models available and the best one is the one you will use regularly! This is a great tool to get the back teeth and clean out any of those hidden pockets in your gum line. Use the toothpicks and floss first to help break up the biofilm and the waterpik will be more effective.
- Test your oral microbiome. This is so easy. A simple swish and spit into a tube test will reveal some of the big, bad uglies so you know if you have them. If you do then getting a deep cleaning (meaning under the gum lines) will help. Certain pathogens may even require antibiotics. We do this oral DNA test so call us today and get tested!! Test both you and your partner because addressing both at the same time will help prevent crossover.
To your health,
Laura
