Maintaining optimal oral health goes beyond regular brushing and flossing. Within the depths of our mouths lies a fascinating world teeming with microorganisms known as the oral microbiome.
Think of it like a sophisticated ecosystem for your mouth wherein all sorts of wonderful critters reside to make (or break!) your mouth.
These tiny inhabitants play a crucial role in balancing bacteria and ensuring a healthy oral environment. In this article, we delve into the intricate relationship between the oral microbiome, bacterial diversity, oral health, and using the best practices (including the best mouthwash) to help balance this delicate system.
Understanding the Oral Microbiome
The oral microbiome refers to the complex community of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, that reside within our mouths. It is estimated that there are over 700 different species of bacteria inhabiting the oral cavity alone, forming a diverse ecosystem. While some bacteria can be harmful and contribute to oral diseases, many are beneficial and aid in maintaining oral health.
Below are 5 facts about the oral microbiome which are often glossed over or ignored by mainstream mouthwash and oral care product companies selling in supermarket chains.
5 Facts About Bacterial Balance and Oral Health "Big Mouthwash" Doesn't Want You to Know
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Fact #1: A healthy mouth comes from a healthy body. It also relies on a delicate balance between the different bacteria residing within it.
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Fact #2: When this balance is disrupted (as is with alcohol, harsh chemicals, or acidic or sugary foods), harmful bacteria can multiply, leading to various oral health problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, and even issues in other parts of the body in extreme cases.
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Fact #3: Your oral cavity indicates what else may be happening in other parts of the body. Most people are familiar with gut health, or at least aware of it and understand that health of this biome indicates how healthy other parts of your body may be. The same is true of your oral microbiome. The relationship between oral microbiome and overall health is well established.
From the link above:"Many people are under the impression that certain harmful bacteria cause cavities, but it’s now understood that the causes of tooth decay, cavities and gum disease, such as gingivitis, are actually related to imbalances in the oral microbiome, rather than the presence of bacteria itself. In other words, certain “pathogenic” bacteria won’t cause problems for someone who has an overall healthy microbiome — however they can trigger disease in others who lack enough healthy bacteria to counteract the pathogens’ effects."
- Dr. Axe, draxe.com -
Fact #4: Many mouthwashes and toothpastes on the market do not take into consideration balancing of your delicate oral microbiome. Instead, they rely upon "attacking" or bombarding it with lab-created chemicals which often dry out the mouth further and require a poison warning label on their products. Interestingly, this warning is not enough to scare away even normally sensible people!
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Fact #5: A hydrated mouth is a healthy mouth. You can keep your mouth hydrated by drinking more water, getting regular exercise, rinsing with a better mouthwash, and decreasing sodium, sugar, and alcohol intake.
- Fact #6: The key lies in fostering a diverse and balanced oral microbiome through more natural, "back to basics" means, and you may achieve this by using the best mouthwash available (Oral Snoberts, see below) in tandem with regular oral care, balanced diet, and exercise.
Oral Microbiome's Protective Role
Beneficial bacteria in the oral microbiome act as the first line of defense against harmful invaders. They compete with pathogenic bacteria for resources, limiting their growth and preventing their colonization. Furthermore, these beneficial bacteria produce antimicrobial substances and strengthen the integrity of the oral tissues, protecting against infection and inflammation.
The best mouthwash (such as Oral Snoberts Mouthwash Powder), works with this beneficial bacteria instead of bombarding it with alcohol and other harsh chemicals.
Impacts of Diet and Lifestyle on the Oral Microbiome
But it's not only your mouthwash or dental habits which determine how healthy your mouth is. Our diet and lifestyle choices have a significant impact on the composition and diversity of the oral microbiome, which in turn has a profound effect on your mouth's health. A diet rich in sugary and processed foods can lead to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria, which thrive on the acids they produce and can even produce more of their own.
Conversely, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria. Keeping hydrated with water also greatly benefits the mouth and all systems of the body, assuming the water itself is good to drink.
Additionally, lifestyle factors such as smoking and excessive alcohol or coffee consumption can disrupt the oral microbiome, impairing its ability to maintain a healthy balance. Proper oral hygiene practices, including regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits, also play a vital role in supporting a healthy oral microbiome.
Lastly, exercise is crucial for overall health. Our bodies were meant to move constantly. Even while sleeping your body still moves, switching position regularly throughout the night. This is a clue to health - movement creates more health! This is why exercise, even moderate walks for just 20 minutes a day, are excellent for body and mouth health.
7 Tips to Maintaining a Healthy Oral Mouth/Microbiome
To promote a healthy oral microbiome and maintain optimal oral health, several strategies can be adopted:
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Acid is your mouth's Achilles Heel. Eliminate or reduce acidic foods. Sugary, carb-rich, starchy foods are converted to acid in the mouth, so consume these sparingly or in moderation. Examples include coffee, tea, wine, soda, sugary snacks, chips.
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Don't brush right after eating. It may seem counter-intuitive, but don't brush your teeth right after you eat. After you consume something, your teeth need time to re-mineralize the enamel, a very thin, but super strong layer which protects your teeth against cavities, exposure, and even infection.
Rather than brushing right away after eating, rinse with Oral Snoberts which will immediately start neutralizing mouth acid. Or you can simply rinse with a bit of water. Otherwise, wait about 30 minutes between eating and brushing.
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Consume a variety of nutritious foods, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy products. Water-rich foods are wonderful. Pineapple, watermelon, leafy lettuces and drinking more water in general are recognized as health-conscious.
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Practice good oral hygiene: Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss daily, and use a pH balancing prebiotic mouthwash like Oral Snoberts to help control promote health in the mouth.
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Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, as they can disrupt the balance of the oral microbiome. They both dry out the mouth which is just inviting trouble
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Exercise. You body wants to be strong, healthy, capable. Exercise is one of the greatest investments you can make in your life. When combined with a sensible diet, you are more likely to fend off disease, sickness, fatigue, mental decline, and bad oral health. If you take anything from this article, make exercise a joy. It will pay you back dividends over time.
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Adopt a kind, compassionate, positive mental attitude. Science backs it up - how you think directly affects your body chemistry.
Have you noticed when you feel stressed out you can feel your body change in an undesirable way? It manifests as a light burn or pressure in some parts of your body such as your head or stomach.
That's your chemistry reacting to your thoughts which also affects the mouth. Oftentimes, for example, when people get nervous, their mouths dry up.
Cultivate a positive, humorous, helpful attitude and it will show in your body. Meditation is wonderful for this, as well. Watch your mouth health respond, as well.
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Visit your dentist regularly: Schedule routine dental check-ups and professional cleanings to ensure early detection and treatment of any oral health issues.
Would You Burn Down the Rainforest to eliminate termites?
Of course you wouldn't do this unless you were a maniac. The rainforest is teeming with multitudes of life. Likewise, your mouth is teeming with multitudes of beneficial bacteria. Using a market brand mouthwash (alcohol or not) can be likened to torching the rainforest. Mainstream mouthwashes are indiscriminate. They obliterate bacteria - good and bad - which is not always good!
That's why we recommend Oral Snoberts Mouth Rinse powder. It has only 5 main ingredients in plain English, all lab tested, no burn, no alcohol, and is better for your mouth than the chemically-laden brands in the supermarket. Pick some up at the link below.
Conclusion
The oral microbiome is a fascinating and intricate ecosystem that plays a vital role in maintaining oral health. Sadly, it is largely ignored by "Big Mouthwash" companies who are using the dated method of bombarding your mouth with super-concentrated chemicals, dyes, and alcohol. By nurturing a diverse and balanced oral microbiome through proper diet, lifestyle choices, and oral hygiene practices, we can support the growth of beneficial bacteria and protect against oral diseases.
Embrace the power of a healthy oral microbiome, and enjoy a radiant smile and overall well-being.
