At Filice Dentistry, we care deeply about the health of all our patients. Which means we work hard to not only care for our patients’ teeth and gums, but also to educate patients about maintaining their overall health. And this includes understanding the mouth/body connection. Your dental health affects your entire body. And lifestyle changes you make that benefit your mouth, also benefit your body--and vice versa.
Your microbiome
The microbiome is the entire population of beneficial bacteria that live in our mouths and bodies. Bacteria in the microbiome help digest our food, regulate our immune system, protect against other bacteria that cause disease, and produce vitamins. Our oral biome includes about 700 species of beneficial bacteria. An imbalance in your oral microbiome can contribute to heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and a weak immune system.
Care for your oral microbiome
There’s a lot you can do to boost the benefits of your oral microbiome, and improve your whole body health along the way.
Use higher-quality products:
Avoid common dental product ingredients like Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. Use xylitol products instead.
Eat better:
Eat more plant-based food, cut down on sugar, and avoid acidic drinks.
Brush and use an interproximal dental tool:
Clean regularly with a soft bristle toothbrush or electric brush and get in-between your teeth with floss, a soft pick, a sulcabrush, or curaprox brush.
Tongue scraping:
Tongue scraping is easy, inexpensive, and a quick habit that removes the buildup of bacteria on the tongue.
Don’t skip cleanings:
Your dental hygienist is able to access areas of plaque, bacteria, biofilm, calculus, and tartar that you cannot reach.