The best ways to improve your probiotic oral bacteria

The best ways to improve your probiotic oral bacteria

by | Jun 11, 2021 | Oral Health, Oral Health Education, Oral Hygiene Care, Oral Pathogen & Microbiome, Prevention

Probiotic Oral Bacteria

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Probiotic Oral Bacteria

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The best ways to improve your probiotic oral bacteria

Nurturing and enhancing the probiotic bacterial activity in your oral cavity is done similarly as for your gut

When eating high-fibre vegetables, you can nourish your good oral bacteria along with your friendly gut bacteria, further down the track. However, there are slight differences between the needs of your probiotic oral bacteria compared to those of your gut bacteria. Additionally, your oral cavity is a unique microbial environment that is physiologically different from your gut. Improving its blood vessels & nerves, salivary glands, chemical signalling function to the brain and cellular efficiency can enhance oral probiotic flora and lower levels of oral pathogens.

The oral and gut microbiota work together to keep us healthy

Even though the oral and gut microbiotas appear to be separate entities, they work synergistically to nourish our body and protect it from infection and disease. So it’s important to keep in mind that you can’t effectively improve one microbiota without improving the other as well. For example, you might take a daily gut probiotic supplement – but what about the billions of oral pathogens you swallow every day that makes it through the stomach acid barrier and colonise the gut? So, what are the most beneficial ways to boost your probiotic oral bacteria?

Tips to improve your probiotic oral bacteria

You can nurture your probiotic oral bacteria, optimise your oral PH and improve your oral health with the following foods and oral care/lifestyle habits:

  • Eat, chew or drink (with pulp) nitrate-rich high fibre vegetables to maintain and improve the oral microbiome including celery, beetroot, rocket, chard, rhubarb, fennel and oak leaf lettuce.
  • Eat, chew or drink (with pulp) prebiotic high fibre foods that help feed probiotic oral bacteria, including nuts, fruits and seeds.
  • Chew more fibre to create an “oral garden mulch” to feed probiotic bacteria.
  • Use your toothbrush, flosser and tongue scraper to manually remove bacterial plaque – helps keep bacterial numbers between species balanced and in check.
  • Avoid excessive use of anti-microbial mouthwashes since they can harm the oral microbiome, taking out good and bad bacteria. Use mouthwashes with prebiotics that target specific bacteria.
  • Avoid alcohol. Binge drinking can completely disrupt the diversity of your oral microbiome and enable harmful bacteria to flourish.
  • Avoid smoking. It can disrupt saliva flow and dry out the oral cavity.

    • Oral bacteria

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    10 health benefits of having a probiotic oral microbiome

    10 health benefits of having a probiotic oral microbiome

    by | May 29, 2021 | Oral Health Education, Oral Hygiene Care, Oral Pathogen & Microbiome, Prevention

    Everybody knows the importance of nurturing probiotic bacteria for good gut health. We consume vast quantities of yoghurt and other probiotic products to ensure our gut microbiome includes a good range of probiotic bacterial species.

    What is the gut microbiome…and microbiota?

    The gut microbiome refers to the curated collection of genomes (genes) identified in all the microorganisms found in a person’s gut. It’s basically a list of germ genes.

    On the other hand, the gut microbiota is a reference to the gut’s microbial ecosystem and the actual microorganisms living in it. Their numbers can vary from 10 trillion to 100 trillion microorganisms at any given time. For example, several hours after a huge Sunday night meal, the microorganism count in your gut skyrockets for good reason.

    Having a well balanced, flourishing gut microbiota benefits your body in a number of ways, including:

    breaks down and converts food into absorbable nutrients for the body’s cell regeneration, energy and hydration needs
    regulation of nutrient absorption
    protection against harmful bacteria by competitive exclusion
    produces essential bio-active compounds, such as a range of B vitamins

    The oral cavity contains the body’s 2nd largest microbiota

    If we move back up the oesophagus to the mouth, you’ll find the location of the body’s second largest microbiota after the gut – the oral cavity. Alas, there is no such public awareness or recognition of the oral microbiota nor the links of its 600-700 species to our oral and general health.

    Where in the oral cavity do they live? Pretty much everywhere, including the teeth, tongue, gumline (gingival sulcus), saliva, hard/soft palates, floor of your mouth, inner cheeks and throat. All these different saliva-coated surfaces combine to provide a unique and varied environment suitable for a wide range of probiotic microbial species.

    10 health benefits of having a probiotic oral microbiome

    10 benefits of a diverse oral microbiome and healthy oral microbiota

    A healthy oral microbiota is an exceptionally complex microbial habitat that contributes to our oral and general health in many ways:

    1. helps to shape and drive a healthy gut microbiome
    2. regulates the saliva’s buffering capacity (for high PH) to neutralise acids in the mouth – the type that cause tooth erosion
    3. reduces numbers of pathogenic acid-producing bacteria via competitive exclusion – decreases the bacterial acid load responsible for tooth decay & cavities
    4. helps prevent gum disease
    5. decreases gum inflammation
    6. initiates digestion and digestive processes
    7. metabolises nitrates into nitrites – a key molecule to reduce blood pressure
    8. prevents plaque
    9. prevents bad breath

    When your oral microbiota is in balance, expect to have good oral health, great digestion and even better nutritional uptake for a healthier mouth and body.

    Unfortunately, eating junk food and excess use of antimicrobial mouthwashes aren’t the best ways to sustain these plant-loving probiotic oral bacteria. On the contrary, we have either starved or wiped them out, acidified our saliva and allowed billions of sugar-loving pathogenic bacteria to take over – wreaking havoc on our teeth, gums, brain and body.

    Is it time for you to replenish and nourish your oral microbiota for better oral health?

    For further infomation, please read more about Oral Pathogen Test

    The oral bacteria that destroy your brain’s nerve cells

    The oral bacteria that destroy your brain’s nerve cells

    by | Jun 26, 2019 | Diagnosis, News and Research, Oral Health Senior, Oral Hygiene Care, Oral Links to General Health, Oral Pathogen & Microbiome, Risk Factors, Signs and Symptoms

    Oral Bacteria

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    Oral Bacteria

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    The oral bacteria that destroy your brain’s nerve cells

    According to a recently published study conducted by the University of Bergen, Norway, certain oral bacteria play a “decisive” role in the development of Alzheimer’s in an individual.

    In a news statement released on June 3, 2019, lead researcher Piotr Mydel stated that his team had discovered clear DNA-based proof that gingivitis-causing bacteria can move independently from the oral cavity to brain tissue. The bacteria travel via the close network of blood vessels and nerve fibres that connect the two areas of the head.

    Once the oral bacteria are in the brain, they excrete protein and enzyme by-products that can go on to destroy the brain’s nerve cells. When nerve cells of the brain die, the result can be memory loss – and potentially Alzheimer’s.
    While there are multi-factor causes of Alzheimer’s, Mydel believes that the presence of these bacteria in the brain significantly heightens your risk of developing the disease and can speed up its progress.

    Eliminate P.gingavalis from your body

    oral pathogen test

    With clinical evidence mounting, it’s inevitable that P.gingavalis will make it onto the high risk factors list for Alzheimer’s in the future. However, you wouldn’t want this dangerous pathogen to silently wreak havoc in your brain and other parts of your body – at anytime.

    While the Norwegian researchers have focused on developing drugs that block the harmful by-products of P.gingavalis, it’s a far better strategy to prevent these bacteria from entering your brain in the first place. The best way to achieve this goal is to maintain a proper oral health care and hygiene routine along with regular dental checkups.

    P.Gingavalis – the creepy crawler in the brain

    The oral bacteria in question have been identified by the Norwegian research team to Porphyromonas gingivalis – or P.Gingavalis for short. This oral bacterium is one of the main culprits responsible for gum disease, and has been linked to a number of general health conditions, including diabetes, strokes, oral cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

    The Norwegian study backed up the findings of a similar UK study published in 2014. In this study, English researchers concluded that the same bacteria species and its by-products were responsible for a repeated immune response that caused the death of brain neurons, as well as nerve cells.

    But how can you be sure? It’s easy. To identify and eliminate P.gingavalis & co from your body, all it takes is a simple saliva test right here at Leeming Dental. In fact, we are the ONLY providers of Oral DNA testing in West Australia.

    Once we submit your sample, it is tested and an Oral DNA test lab report lists all pathogenic bacteria detected in your saliva. With this crucial information, we are able to customise a 100% effective antibiotic treatment that will eliminate the harmful bacteria present in your body.

    Take your oral DNA test at Leeming Dental

    For more information or to schedule a consultation, call our friendly, helpful reception at Leeming Dental on 08 9310 3367. In the meantime, brush and floss your teeth daily!

    References:

    Stephen S. Dominy, Casey Lynch, Florian Ermini, Malgorzata Benedyk, Agata Marczyk, Andrei Konradi, Mai Nguyen, Ursula Haditsch, Debasish Raha, Christina Griffin, Leslie J. Holsinger, Shirin Arastu-Kapur, Samer Kaba, Alexander Lee, Mark I. Ryder, Barbara Potempa, Piotr Mydel, Annelie Hellvard, Karina Adamowicz, Hatice Hasturk, Glenn D. Walker, Eric C. Reynolds, Richard L. M. Faull, Maurice A. Curtis, Mike Dragunow, Jan Potempa. Porphyromonas gingivalis in Alzheimer’s disease brains: Evidence for disease causation and treatment with small-molecule inhibitors. Science Advances, 2019; 5 (1): eaau3333 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aau3333

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    Can oral bacteria cause Alzheimer’s disease?

    Can oral bacteria cause Alzheimer’s disease?

    by | Feb 22, 2019 | Diagnosis, Gum disease, News and Research, Oral Health Senior, Oral Links to General Health, Oral Pathogen & Microbiome, Risk Factors, Signs and Symptoms

    Can oral bacteria cause Alzheimer’s disease?

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    Can oral bacteria cause Alzheimer’s disease?

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    Find out what the UK researchers are saying

    If you have poor oral hygiene, you are at a higher risk of a number of oral health issues such as plaque, tartar, tooth decay, cavities and chronic gum disease (periodontal disease). Inadequate oral hygiene opens the door to potentially hundreds of pathogenic oral bacteria to your teeth and gums.

    Other health consequences

    Oral health issues may be only one of the consequences of allowing pathogenic oral bacteria to develop in your oral cavity. A number of clinical studies in recent years have established links between certain species of oral bacteria and Alzheimer’s disease.

    These oral bacteria have the ability to migrate and colonise your brain tissue. The three main culprits identified so far are Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia. Check them out (in order).

    These nasty little critters can infiltrate and infect your gums and even your jawbone – like termites in wood. Additionally, these bacteria can travel around your body and enter your brain on a regular basis.

    How might oral bacteria trigger the onset of Alzheimer’s?

    More studies need to be conducted to find a causative link between the suspect bacteria and Alzheimer’s disease. However, the UK researchers are working with the theory that if the brain is exposed repeatedly to these oral bacteria and their by-products, the subsequent immune response may result in death of neurons in the brain area associated with memory, as well as nerve cell death.

    Only Alzheimer’s patients had the oral bacteria present in their brains

    When the UK scientists tested non-Alzheimer’s patients for the bacteria, they discovered that none had the suspect bacteria present in their brain tissue, whereas all of the patients with Alzheimer’s disease did.

    How can pathogenic oral bacteria be identified & eliminated from your body?

    At present, the diagnosis and treatment of pathogenic oral bacteria can only be performed via an oral bacteria DNA test and anti-biotic treatment. Root planing, a dental treatment used to deep clean between the teeth and gums, is a treatment method that can only remove the plaque and calculus in those areas.

    oral pathogen test for oral bacteria

    Oral bacteria that can crawl their way into your brain

    In 2014, UK scientists were first able to identify the presence of the three oral bacteria (listed above) in the brain tissue of living Alzheimer’s patients. The researchers established that at least two of the bacteria – once firmly established in the oral cavity – had the ability and versatility to enter the brain via two different pathways.

    The first pathway was via the bloodstream where they could attach to red blood cells, and travel directly into the brain – where they get off because there are no immune checkpoints. What this means for patients with bleeding gums, is that every time they brush their teeth or eat food, a fresh influx of bacteria can enter the bloodstream and reach the brain in a matter of seconds.

    The second pathway came as a surprise to the UK researchers. Since the bacteria are motile (capable of motion), they were able to “crawl” their way to the brain via the nerves that connect tooth roots to the brain – a short distance of a several centimetres.

    References:

    Singhrao, S. K., Harding, A., Poole, S., Kesavalu, L., & Crean, S. (2015). Porphyromonas gingivalis Periodontal Infection and Its Putative Links with Alzheimer’s Disease. Mediators of inflammation, 2015, 137357.

    Poole, S., Singhrao, S. K., & Crean, S. J. (2014). Emerging evidence for associations between periodontitis and the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Faculty Dental Journal, 5(1), 38-42. doi:10.1308/204268514×13859766312719

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    World Oral Health Day 2018 – Your mouth is a mirror to your body

    World Oral Health Day 2018 – Your mouth is a mirror to your body

    by | Mar 17, 2018 | Oral Links to General Health, Oral Pathogen & Microbiome, Special Days and Events

    On 20 March 2018, it is World Oral Health Day. So Happy World Oral Health Day from all the staff at Leeming Dental!

    The mouth and body connection

    This year’s theme focuses on the link between a healthy mouth and a healthy body, and the way each affects the other. The message that the World Dental Federation would like all of us to keep in mind is the importance of protecting your mouth and body – no matter what age you are. Oral disease comes in many forms, including the two most prevalent conditions – tooth decay and gum disease. If oral health conditions aren’t treated and managed, they can have a negative effect on your general health. Likewise, general health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and respiratory diseases are linked with certain oral diseases, and can increase your risk of oral health complications. For example, diabetes has been clinically proven to increase the risk of experiencing gum disease.

    Take action

    If you have poor oral health, it may be the cause of, and the result of, poor general health. However, by taking action to protect and safeguard both your oral and general health, you can improve your overall health and quality of life.

    Common risk factors

    Research has shown that oral diseases and general health conditions often share common risk factors. Many of these risk factors are determined by preventable behaviour and lifestyle choices. You can better manage and take control of your oral health by limiting or avoiding: an unhealthy diet high in refined carbohydrates (including sugary foods and drinks); smoking; alcohol; and poor oral health habits.

    Remember!

    Looking after your mouth and body is important throughout your whole life. Always practice preventative care, have regular checkups from your dentist and doctor, and seek treatment for oral health and general health conditions.

    World Oral Health Day 2018 – Your mouth is a mirror to your body
    3D-printed teeth kill 99% of oral bacteria instantly – before brushing

    3D-printed teeth kill 99% of oral bacteria instantly – before brushing

    by | Jan 3, 2016 | New Dental Technology, News and Research, Oral Pathogen & Microbiome

    Dutch researchers from the University of Groningen, Netherlands, have created an antimicrobial plastic material for use in 3D-printed replacement teeth, crowns, veneers and orthodontic devices. The new material kills 99% of oral germs and bacteria – before you brush and floss your teeth. The team of researchers conducted research and development of a new antimicrobial composite polymers because dental implant related infections posed a major health risk world-wide. This type of infection is the leading cause of the failure of implanted dental devices.  For example, dental restorations that are damaged by bacterial infiltration can result in secondary cavities beneath the restoration.

    It is estimated that over 20 billion dollars are spent annually in the United States by dental patients – to replace composite resin restorations that have failed for this reason. Professor Andreas Hermann and his team added antimicrobial ammonium salts to existing dental resin polymers. The positive charge in these salts disrupted the negatively-charged cell lining or membrane of the bacteria. This caused the bacterial cells to rupture and die.

    3D-printed teeth kill 99% of oral bacteria instantly – before brushing
    And while the new material can kill bacteria on contact, it is harmless to human cells. To test the antimicrobial properties of the new polymers, the research team  coated 3D-printed dental objects in a mix of saliva and the Streptococcus mutans bactirium which causes tooth decay. Incredibly, the team found the polymers killed over 99% of the bacteria. In comparison, less than 1% were eliminated by a control sample with no added salts.

    While further testing still needs to be carried out for long-term effects and compatibility with toothpaste, these new polymers are shaping up to be a  game-changer in the general medical and dental industries.  Reference Research paper: “3D-Printable Antimicrobial Composite Resins”, 10/2015, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands.