Thanks to a rapidly growing body of research and louder collective conversation, more and more Americans are discovering that what happens in the gut doesn’t just stay in the gut.
Science suggests that gut health can impact everything from ourimmune systemandchronic inflammationto ourmental healthandsleep quality. The relationship goes both ways, too; poor sleep, stress and anxiety, excess inflammation and an infection can do a number on our microbiome (the community of good bacteria that call our guts home), too.
And, thanks to one of our go-to gut-health experts,Will Bulsiewicz, M.D., a Charleston, South Carolina-based gastroenterologist and the author ofThe Fiber Fueled Cookbook, we now know about a whole other body system that’s directly connected to gut health (and it has absolutely nothing to do withfiberorfermented foods): our dirty mouths.
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How Oral Health Impacts Gut Health
William W. Li, M.D., a Boston-based internal medicine physician and author ofEat to Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself, sets the scene: “Our gut begins in our mouth. Healthy bacteria also live in our oral cavity, in our gums and on our tongue. This is known as our ‘oral microbiome.’ That means that a healthy gut begins with good oral health, and how we manage our dental health can influence our overall body health.”
This plays out in small and large ways. The microbes that live in our mouths are possibly connected to our risk for developing colon cancer, Bulsiewicz explained in the caption for an Instagram video he shared in January 2023:
“There’s a specific bacteria called fusobacterium that has shown up consistently in both colon polyps and colon tumors. Fusobacterium doesn’t originate in the gut; it originates in the mouth,” Bulsiewicz added, noting that scientists and doctors believe that poor oral health might increase your risk for diseases within the gastrointestinal tract.
“With gum disease, also known as periodontitis or gingivitis, people experience inflammation and an infection in our gums,” explains Whitney DiFoggio, RDH, a Chicago-based registered dental hygienist and the co-founder ofTeeth Talk Girl. “This gum-disease bacteria can travel to our gut and affect the balance of bacteria there.”
Research backs this up: Bacteria in our mouths have been proven to have the potential to travel to our stomach and intestines, per a study published in March 2019 in theJournal of Oral Microbiology.
“Inflammation can lead to bloating, gas and diarrhea,” saysKenneth Brown, M.D., a gastroenterologist in Plano, Texas, and the host of theGut Check Projectpodcast. “Poor dental health can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. These conditions can cause chronic inflammation in the mouth, leading to inflammation throughout the body.”
Dental health not only correlates with gut health and risk for certain GI cancers. DiFoggio reminds us that research has also shown links between dental health and:
The #1 Tool to Improve Gum and Heart Health, According to Dentists
One common factor among all of those health conditions? You guessed it: inflammation.
How Gut Health Impacts Oral Health
This relationship is bidirectional, according to DiFoggio. The trillions of bacteria in our digestive tract can also impact oral health. If harmful bacteria are able to thrive in what Brown describes as a “disturbed gut environment,” an individual may be more likely to build up dental plaque, experience tooth decay and be diagnosed with gum disease.
The inflammation we’ve been discussing can also start due to an imbalance within the microbiome, and travel up to the mouth and eventually turn into gum disease. If left untreated, this gingivitis can progress into more serious periodontal disease, Brown says.
A healthy gut is also critical for optimal nutrient absorption. Key nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D—for tooth enamel and bone health—and vitamin A—which aids in saliva production and oral tissue health—are absorbed more efficiently in a healthy gut. If your gut health is compromised, it can lead to malabsorption of these nutrients, impacting your dental health.
Lastly, certain GI diseases can increase risk for some oral health issues.
“Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause stomach acid to enter the mouth, damaging tooth enamel. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been linked with several oral conditions, including mouth ulcers and infections,” Brown adds.
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“It’s all connected! So maintaining a healthy gut through proper nutrition and gut-friendly practices can contribute to better oral health,” DiFoggio says.
A healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, proper oral hygiene and enough quality sleep is the best way to support both your gut and oral health, the experts we spoke to agree. To maintain a healthy gut, gums, teeth and tongue simultaneously, follow these pro tips.
The Bottom Line
Once you’ve finished your pre-bedtime tooth-brushing and popped that probiotic, study up on the12 foods to improve your gut health overnightso you can plan ahead for a healthier tomorrow.
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