10 Fail-Safe Ways To A Healthier Mouth

You’ve probably heard of your gut microbiome but what about your mouth’s? It’s the key to keeping well, say the experts

- Tanya Pearey

Looking after your mouth isn’t just about preventing tooth decay. ‘The oral cavity has the second-largest microbiota after the gut,’ says dental expert Professor Liz Kay, president of the Oral Health Foundation. It’s home to more than 700 species of bacteria and, as well as being the starting point for our digestive system, it’s crucial for maintaining not just good oral health but overall wellbeing too.

The type of bacteria you have in your mouth could be responsible for lung cancer if you’re a non-smoker, according to a report in the BMJ last year. And it could make gut inflammation and inflammatory gut disease worse, says a study from the University of Michigan.

‘Many chronic medical conditions are evidenced in the mouth and first discovered in routine visits to the dentist,’ says Professor Kay. These include gum disease, which can lead to bleeding. ‘In turn, this can provide a gateway for bacteria to contaminate the bloodstream, potentially leading to abscesses, heart valve infections and, in worse-case scenarios, sepsis.’

Here’s how to keep your mouth microbiome healthy and maintain your good health too.

1 Chew on sugar-free gum

People who regularly chew develop 28% fewer cavities than those who don’t, said 2019 research by the Faculty of Dentistry at King’s College London. ‘The equivalent percentage for using fluoride toothpastes and supplements was 24%,’ says Professor Kay.