The Oral Microbiome

How Bacterial Balance Affects Dental Health

The “oral microbiome” refers to microorganisms in the human mouth. It includes bacteria, fungi, and viruses that naturally live in your mouth–on your teeth, tongue, gums, and other oral surfaces. These microorganisms constitute a complex microbial environment that plays a fundamental role in oral health and disease and can affect your overall health. Understanding this community of diverse microbiome is important in engaging in good oral hygiene habits to keep the microbiome balanced to maintain a healthy mouth.

At Hamby Family Dental Center, your Fuquay-Varina dentists, we are committed to helping you keep your mouth healthy. This article explores the oral microbiome and how the bacterial balance affects your dental health.

Oral Microbiome

A balanced oral microbiome plays an important role in maintaining oral health by preventing harmful bacteria from overgrowing and contributing to issues like cavities and gum disease. Recent research suggests that the oral microbiome may also be linked to systemic health conditions like cardiovascular disease.

Unbalanced Oral Microbiome

An unhealthy oral microbiome, also called dysbiosis, can be caused by factors such as:

• Poor oral hygiene
• A diet high in sugar and processed foods
• Smoking
• Certain medications

These factors lead to an imbalance of bacteria that can potentially cause oral diseases.

Poor Oral Hygiene

A poor oral hygiene routine can lead to an unhealthy microbiome. 

• Inadequate brushing and flossing: A failure to remove plaque allows harmful bacteria to grow and disrupt the balance of the oral microbiome.
• Overbrushing or aggressive brushing: Overbrushing can damage gums and disrupt the natural ecosystem of the mouth, potentially leading to an imbalance.
• Ignoring the tongue: The tongue can harbor a significant amount of bacteria, neglecting to clean it can contribute to a dysbiotic microbiome.

Diet

Diet plays an important part in maintaining a healthy microbiome.

• High sugar and processed foods: These foods fuel the growth of harmful bacteria that produce acids, which erode tooth enamel and contribute to cavities and gum disease.
• Lack of fiber and nutrients: A diet lacking in essential nutrients can weaken the immune system and make the mouth more susceptible to bacterial imbalances.
• Acidic drinks: Frequent consumption of acidic beverages can lower the pH of the mouth, creating an environment where harmful bacteria can thrive.

Lifestyle Factors

Certain lifestyle factors can contribute to an unhealthy oral microbiome. 

• Smoking: Smoking does a lot of damage to the oral tissues. It weakens the immune system  and changes the composition of the oral microbiome, increasing the risk of gum disease and other oral health problems. 
• Excessive alcohol consumption: Alcohol consumption to excess can lead to an imbalance within the oral microbiome, impacting both oral and systemic health.
• Stress: Chronic stress can lead to a decrease in saliva production, which affects the composition of the oral microbiome and increases the risk of oral infections.

Medications

Some medications can have side effects that harm the oral microbiome.

• Antibiotics: Though antibiotics are necessary for certain infections, they can disrupt the balance of the oral microbiome by killing both beneficial and harmful bacteria.
• Certain medications: Anticholinergic drugs include those for conditions like overactive bladder, Parkinson’s disease, and depression. Anticholinergic medications reduce saliva production. Many antidepressants (especially SSRIs), antihistamines, antihypertensives, decongestants, antipsychotics, opioids, muscle relaxants, some diuretics, and certain anti-anxiety medications can act as anticholinergic drugs.

Other Factors

Age: As people age, their oral microbiome can become less diverse and more susceptible to dysbiosis.

Genetics: Some people may be genetically predisposed to certain oral health problems, including those related to the oral microbiome.

Schedule a Dental Checkup with Hamby Family Dental Center Today for Better Oral Health

Hamby Family Dental Center is committed to your overall oral health. We look for signs that your oral microbiome may be unbalanced and make suggestions for ways to improve it. Keeping up with your bi-annual dental exams is an important part of your oral health. We are accepting new patients. Contact us today to schedule your checkup. Call us at  919-552-2431 or complete the form below to request an appointment.