Aug 12, 2019
Not all bacteria are bad! Our bodies also host a range of good bacteria that help keep us healthy. They are part of your body’s microbiome, which is defined as a community of micro-organisms (such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses) living on or in the human body. There is an emerging field of medical research on our microbiomes and how the bacteria that live on and in our bodies affect our health. Perhaps you’ve heard of the microbiome in your gut and how it can impact your health ranging from mental well-being to digestion, but did you know there is also a microbiome in your mouth? Fascinating, right!? We’ve discussed how our oral health impacts our overall health before, now let’s zoom in to the microscopic level and learn about the microbiome in our mouths.
Your Oral Microbiome
You swallow about 1 trillion bacteria each day (!!!) and have a unique community of bacteria that live in your mouth known as your oral microbiome. Your oral cavity has different habitats, from your tongue to your teeth to your tonsils where some 700 different bacteria exist and help perform vital functions such as transporting ionic minerals and carrying molecular oxygen. There is a symbiotic relationship between us and the microbes that live within us…they help us stay healthy and thrive! You’re probably familiar with one of the most famous symbiotic relationships: E.T. (everyone’s favorite cinematic extra-terrestrial) and the little boy Elliot. In the movie when E.T. was healthy, so was Elliot. When E.T. got sick, so did Elliot. Don’t be afraid to make friends with your microbiome!
As we’ve noted before, the mouth is a great window into the body, often reflecting systemic disease before it can be determined by other means. This is why we do a thorough examination of your whole mouth when you come in for a routine cleaning. When your oral microbiome is healthy and balanced we see that reflected in your mouth. For example, when the plaque (or oral biofilm) in your mouth is healthy, it forms a clear, odorless, protective film. Your teeth feel clean and your gums look healthy and pink. When imbalanced, the plaque becomes sticky, white, has an odor, and over time contributes to tooth decay and gum disease. You may notice symptoms such as bad breath and bleeding gums with an imbalanced microbiome. What’s interesting to note is that a number of bacteria associated with tooth decay and gum disease still exist in mouths with a healthy microbiome, but do not have the same adverse effects. Keeping the environment in your mouth healthy through routine oral health care is what’s important for maintaining a healthy oral microbiome. So keep on brushing and flossing!
The Mouth-Body Connection
Your oral microbiome’s impact extends beyond your teeth and gums. Research has shown that oral microbiomes have a link with gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer’s, and endocrine system diseases such as diabetes. We’ve discussed some of these correlations, such as your oral health and diabetes, on the blog before, and cannot stress enough how important dental care is to your overall health. Here are some examples of the link between these health conditions and your oral microbiome:
- Gastrointestinal Diseases: People with gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), often have correlating oral symptoms like dry mouth and mouth ulcers. People with IBD routinely have an imbalance of oral bacteria in the gut. It has also been found that people with advanced gum disease and tooth loss have an increased risk for gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and liver cancer.
- Nervous System Diseases: Researchers have been studying the gut-brain axis and its connection to disease and have found that a healthy gut biome is integral to decreasing the development of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, depression, and anxiety. Given the close connection between the oral microbiome and the gut, oral health plays a role here as well. In fact there was a ground-breaking study from 2019 that showed bacteria responsible for gum disease also appeared in Alzheimer’s patients’ brains.
- Endocrine System Diseases: We know that diabetes increases your risk of dental diseases and oral symptoms such as dry mouth and gum disease. However, it has also been found that people with periodontitis, or gum disease, have an increased risk of developing diabetes. It’s unclear which exactly happens first, the development of the disease or an imbalanced oral microbiome, but researchers continue to study the correlation and relationship between the two areas.
We find it compelling to learn more and more about how our oral health is linked with our overall health. We always like to say that we are part of your healthcare team: our goal is to keep you informed and to help you make the best choices for your health. If you ever have any questions about how we can help you, please don’t hesitate to ask any of our team members!
Oral Care with Your Oral Microbiome in Mind
So, what can you do to keep your oral microbiome and your whole body healthy? We can never say it too much: maintain your oral health care routine of twice daily brushing, daily flossing, and regular visits to our office for check-ups. As part of this, we also recommend avoiding oral-care products that have harsh detergents or mouthwash with alcohol as part of their ingredients. These products may destroy the microbiome–the good bacteria along with the bad. Look for alcohol-free mouthwash and toothpaste without sodium laurel sulfate (SLS) or triclosan.
Diet is also a big part of maintaining a healthy oral microbiome. We often talk about the importance of a healthy diet for the health of your mouth, and this is just another reason to stress the importance of approaching your oral health holistically. Keep your diet rich in vegetables, high-calcium dairy products, protein, and omega-3s, and avoid excess sugar and complex carbohydrates. There are lots of ways to do this…loading up on dark leafy greens, yogurt, strawberries, eggs, and sardines, for example. Your mouth and your whole body will thank you!
Your mouth is an extraordinary place and we love helping you take care of it! We are here to provide you with the best care possible…from the tiny micro-organisms in your mouth to your whole body. Please let us know if you have any questions about your oral health care or if you need to schedule your next appointment by calling our office at 207.781.5900.
*Image courtesy of www.askthedentist.com
Jul 16, 2019
Summer is in full swing which means long days, trips to the beach, and, of course, busting out the BBQ! It is always a treat to be outside celebrating the season with family and friends, and if you’re like us, you like to look for ways to make your outdoor meals both delicious and healthy. However, perhaps you haven’t always thought about the ways you can make your gathering tooth-friendly, too…well, we’ve got you covered! Since it’s July, a quintessential BBQ month, we decided to share some of our tips for keeping your mouth healthy while you enjoy this beautiful season in Maine.
Kick Things Off with a (Healthy) Crunch!
At many BBQs, the crunch usually comes in the form of a potato chip. These starchy snacks can be just as bad for your teeth as sugary sweets as they tend to stick in your teeth, giving cavity-causing bacteria a chance to go to work. Include a healthy crunch at your next meal by putting out a platter of fresh fruits and veggies. Having apples, carrots, and celery to munch on is not only healthy for your body, but it’s great for your mouth, too. Those crisp fruits and veggies will help stimulate saliva and keep your teeth clean…kind of like brushing your teeth!
Say Cheese…Please!
Whether it’s enjoying a cheeseburger, a zesty yogurt dip for your veggies, or putting together an epic cheese platter, incorporating dairy into your next summer soiree is a smart choice. Dairy products are rich in tooth-strengthening calcium and phosphorous, and there is research that suggests that eating more dairy may lower your risk for developing gum disease.
Skip the Soda
We all know how unhealthy soda is, but on a hot summer day a cold drink really hits the spot. Here’s a fun way to avoid the empty calories and cavities at your next gathering: serve water infused with your favorite fruits. Think cucumber and mint, or strawberry and lemon…the possibilities are endless! Infused water is low in sugar, looks pin-worthy, and is oh, so refreshing. So, hydrate smart and in style this summer!
Ketchup with the Sugar Content of Condiments
Did you know that ketchup is 25% sugar and a typical BBQ sauce can have 5 grams of sugar and 22 grams of carbohydrates in one teaspoon! By adding so many sugary sauces to your BBQ plate, you can easily reach your recommended intake of sugar for the day before you even think about dessert! Limit the unnecessary sugar in your next BBQ where you can by providing sliced tomatoes, onions and pickles for flavor enhancement. If you’re feeling bold, you can make your own ketchup without so much sugar. Your teeth will thank you.
We hope you are enjoying these amazing Maine summer days and that these tips help keep your teeth in good shape while you indulge in the treats of the season. Let us know if you have any favorite infused water recipes, and, please call us with any questions or concerns at 207.781.5900. We are here to help you have a smile that is healthy and happy!
*Image courtesy of www.familycorner.blogspot.com
Mar 19, 2019
National Dentist Day was March 6 and was established as a way to show appreciation and thanks for dentists. We have two of the best dentists to thank: Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos! As a way to honor these two, we thought we’d ask them some questions about their path to dentistry and what they love about the work they do. Let’s learn more about FDA’s Dynamic Duo!
1. Why did you go in to dentistry?
Dr. Brian Brunacini: I enjoy the variety and problem-solving in dentistry. There are always new things to learn and I’ve enjoyed keeping up with the advancements in digital dentistry to improve the accuracy of diagnoses and quality of care.
Dr. Karagiorgos: After graduating with a degree in civil/structural engineering, I worked in the field but I disliked my job. I was 27 and I knew I didn’t want to do that as a lifelong career. Around that time, I went through a health scare that made me decide to pursue a career that would be meaningful and satisfying to me. I thought more about what a cousin had once suggested: dentistry. So I went back to school to take all the prerequisites to go to dental school, and meanwhile I worked for the Tufts’ Oral Surgery department as a Dental Assistant, where I assisted in surgical procedures such as extraction, implant placement, and even cosmetic surgery. This experience solidified my desire to pursue dentistry. I really enjoyed the surgical aspect of dentistry and considered specializing but the great thing about general dentistry is that you’re able to do a little bit of everything.
2. What is rewarding about your work?
Dr. Brian Brunacini: I love getting to know our patients and working together by sharing what I see and can potentially do for them. I really enjoy empowering patients to be more involved in their healthcare decisions so that they can improve their health.
Dr. Karagiorgos: Every day is about finding the best dental solution for each individual patient while keeping each patient’s special circumstances and aesthetic vision in mind, as well as the financial aspects involved to create the best possible treatment plan for every individual. There’s also an aspect of artistic expression to what we do: it’s making a filling look like a tooth. In a way, dentistry is a very satisfying form of artistic expression on a small scale.
3. What is unique about working at FDA?
Dr. Brian Brunacini: We practice progressive dentistry that allows us to provide excellent holistic care for the whole patient while using crest-of-the-wave technology. We also have a laid-back atmosphere at the office which creates a comfortable, inviting place for patients. That coupled with an amazing team–from receptionist to hygienist to assistant to dentist–who all work together to help patients makes this an ideal practice where we build lasting relationships with our patients.
Dr. Karagiorgos: The patients and staff here make my job feel like it’s not even work. It’s a great feeling to be a part of a team like this. And we meet patients from all walks of life, so it’s great to talk to everyone and get to know them.
4. What is your favorite dental care tip?
Dr. Brian Brunacini: Mine comes down to diet. Everyone knows how important it is to eat well for their overall health, but it also is important for healthy teeth and gums. There is strong correlation between a decrease in sugar/carbohydrate consumption and a decline in tooth decay rates. It’s not just about limiting overall sugar consumption–it’s also important to pay attention to how often during the day you eat or drink sugar. For example, sipping on an iced coffee with sugar all day is worse than drinking it in one sitting.
Dr. Karagiorgos: Floss, floss, floss!!! Flossing can remove plaque and food debris particles in places where toothbrush bristles cannot easily reach, like under the gum line and especially between your teeth. Plaque buildup can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, which daily flossing can help prevent!
Thank you Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos! We appreciate the thoughtful care you both bring to the practice everyday.
Whether you’ve been coming to FDA for years or are a new patient, we hope you learned something about our wonderful dentists. If you have a question for them or need to schedule a visit, give us a call today at 207.781.5900. We are here to give you the best oral health care possible!
