The Shocking Link Between Your Smile and Your Stomach

Oral health isn't just about how healthy your teeth and gums are. It's about digestion. Digestion starts in the mouth with the breakdown of carbohydrates from the enzymes your saliva glands make. If digestion is not complete in your mouth, then the poorly digested food can bother your esophagus and stomach. It makes your stomach work harder to make up for what your mouth could not do.

The pH of the saliva in your mouth should be 6.7 to 7.4. In this range, healthy bacteria are supported and tooth enamel is protected. You have good bacteria in the mouth that are needed to ward off harmful bacteria and prevent cavities. If the pH is off, then the teeth and gum health start declining because harmful bacteria and other germs take advantage of the environment. It's easy for the pH to drop and become acidic due to inflammatory foods and stress. The most inflammatory foods that would cause inflammation and acidity in the mouth are white refined sugar, coffee, and alcohol.

To figure out exactly what foods are causing your mouth pH to be off, it is best to get muscle tested. In this way, we can be more specific and build a personalized nutrition program. If I am going to generalize, then cleanse from sugar, coffee, and alcohol for eight weeks for better mouth health and digestion.

A problem in the mouth could trickle down and create digestive disorders in the stomach or even lower down in the intestines. A problem in the stomach could be due to poor digestion that starts in the mouth. If someone is complaining about acid reflux, I don't just muscle test the stomach and esophagus, but also the mouth. If digestion is off in the mouth, then the stomach has to work harder to digest the food. This can cause acid reflux, stomach pain, bloat, constipation, or diarrhea.

For these reasons, you do not want to avoid any signs of non-optimal mouth health. Besides going to the dentist for usual checkups, we can muscle test to see if your mouth's digestion is optimal, if the teeth are strong, and if an oral probiotic is needed. I have seen gum disease reverse and cavities disappear when giving the body the nutritional support it needs.

Patients are worried about their mouth health, and actually smile a lot less. This does not sound like a big deal, but anything that stops you from smiling is a big deal. Smile, and then you will find something worth smiling about. A smile is a form of communication to the world that you are happy. Don't let your mouth health get in the way of your happiness. 

For better oral health, I love oil pulling. It comes from Ayurvedic medicine. You swish oil in your mouth for 20 minutes on an empty stomach in the morning. Sesame seed oil is best. Coconut oil is a close second, and if you want it to leave your mouth minty fresh, I suggest this organic Swish Oil from the Healing Arts NYC Store. Swishing oil in your mouth doesn't sound like it would do much, but it does so many things. It kills harmful bacteria in the mouth, reduces inflammation of the gums, detoxes your lymphatic system, naturally whitens teeth, and helps reduce bad breath.

You would take anywhere from 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of oil, however much is comfortable to hold in your mouth, and gently swish and seethe the oil through your teeth. Never swallow the oil, for it will be full of bacteria and toxins. When done, dispose of it in the trash, not the sink, as oil can clog the pipes. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water, then brush your teeth afterwards. This is not a replacement for brushing or flossing your teeth, but should be in addition to. 

Gum inflammation is important to handle because it is linked to health issues in other parts of the body, including heart disease and diabetes. One vitamin that always seems to help with gum inflammation is vitamin C. Mouthwash also helps with gum inflammation, but a lot of them contain alcohol, food dyes, and upset the pH of the mouth, so make sure you get one without these additives.

My favorite one is called Oxy Pulling. The company advertises it as an alternative to oil pulling, but it doesn't replace oil pulling; rather, it is excellent when used in addition to it. Specifically, use it after brushing your teeth. Oxy Pulling is a charcoal mouthwash with hydrogen peroxide in it. The hydrogen peroxide provides oxygen that purifies, while the charcoal binds to toxins.

Xylitol mints are helpful not just for fresh breath but for oral health. When the main bacteria that cause cavities eat xylitol, their growth cycle is disrupted, so these mints are great for preventing cavities. If you have plaque buildup, xylitol can reduce that buildup. Xylitol also helps remineralization of the teeth. 

The type of toothpaste you use matters. A fluoride-free toothpaste is what I recommend. Fluoride takes iodine out of the thyroid, which can eventually lead to hypothyroidism. Also, find a toothpaste that does not have titanium in it. Titanium is used for whitening teeth, but it is a heavy metal that is not healthy for the body. Instead of fluoride, a healthier toothpaste will use hydroxyapatite or calcium compounds to support the teeth. 

If you want better digestion, you will want to look at having better mouth health. Oil pulling, vitamin C, Oxy pulling, xylitol mints, and a healthy toothpaste are ways to support mouth health and digestion. Even if you do these things but eat the wrong foods that are too acidic or hard to digest for your body, then your body will still struggle. Personalized nutrition programs identify what foods are best for you to eat for optimal health, whether it's for better mouth health, digestion, or anything else that you have a health concern about.