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Could Mold and Mycotoxin Exposure be Causing Your Mystery Illness?

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We've been talking about oral health the last few We've been talking about oral health the last few days, so make sure to check out any posts that you've missed! Yesterday we covered steps 1-3 of my 11 steps to better oral microbiome health so let's dive in to what's next on the list. ⁠
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4️⃣: Avoid Antiseptic Mouthwash⁠
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In general, antiseptics, antibacterials, etc., are contraindicated in cultivating a diverse and healthy oral microbiome.⁠
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Therefore, antiseptic mouthwash should not be an everyday thing unless you’ve recently had oral surgery or have an infection that warrants it.⁠
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Need more reason to quit? Using mouthwash regularly has even been shown to increase blood pressure.⁠
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One exception is @risewellco Mouthwash, which is alkaline and can help balance the mouth’s pH.⁠
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5️⃣: Replace Your Toothbrush Head Every 1-3 Months⁠
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Toothbrushes gather bacteria, so it’s best to replace them regularly. Also, consider where you’re storing your toothbrush (near the toilet?).⁠
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I prefer an electric toothbrush, which studies have shown might work a little better at reducing plaque and gingivitis.⁠
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There are even biodegradable toothbrush options, so don’t let a fear of waste keep you from switching out your toothbrush regularly.⁠
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6️⃣: Eat A Healthy Diet, Lower In Sugars And Refined Carbs.⁠
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Eating this way benefits your gut microbiome, positively affecting your oral microbiome.⁠
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Plus, sugary foods have been shown to increase bad bacteria in the mouth, resulting in cavities.⁠
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7️⃣: Don’t Smoke⁠
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Smoking is terrible for your health, including your teeth, gums, and oral microbiome. It also increases your risk of a root canal (which you always want to avoid).⁠
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Questions? Drop them below!⁠
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PMID: 33067640⁠
PMID: 26261186⁠
PMID: 16567550
How can you improve your oral microbiome health?⁠
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Step 1️⃣: Use A Tongue Scraper Daily⁠
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Tongue scraping only takes a few seconds a day and has been shown play a huge role in improving oral microbiome health. I use @drtungs tongue cleaner, but there are many different brands.⁠
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Step 2️⃣: Floss Daily⁠
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The only caveat here is to avoid floss containing BPA and Teflon-based fluorinated chemicals (PFASs and PTFEs). Yes, sadly, this is a thing.⁠
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I’m a fan of @drtungs Smart Floss, which is BPA, PTFE & PFAS Free. I also like the @risewellcol floss that’s impregnated with hydroxyapatite, a safe and effective fluoride alternative.⁠
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Step 3️⃣: Avoid Fluoride⁠
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Controversial opinion: Fluoride is a neurotoxin that should be avoided in water, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, etc. I extensively cover this science in my article 10 Toxins To Avoid Before, During, And After Pregnancy (read it at drchristinemaren.com)⁠
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However, it’s important to replace fluoride with something else that’s equally effective.⁠
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In truth, most natural toothpastes are no more effective than water. Which is why I always recommend hydroxyapatite!⁠
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Hydroxyapatite is a form of calcium similar to what your teeth are made of. It’s been studied in Japan for decades and has been shown as effective as fluoride for reducing cavities without the toxicity-factor.⁠
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Check out the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology’s (IAMOT) Fluoride Facts page for a holistic dental perspective on fluoride. Choosing a toothpaste free of chemicals like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, triclosan, and plastic microbeads is also essential.⁠
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Some of my favorite clean toothpaste brands with hydroxyapatite are:⁠
@risewellco (my fave)⁠
@boka⁠
And @bite⁠
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Have a favorite toothpaste brand? Give them a shoutout below!⁠
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PMID: 30881924⁠
PMID: 33514787
What are some signs and symptoms of poor oral micr What are some signs and symptoms of poor oral microbiome health? Sadly, many signs of poor oral microbiome health are considered “normal” and thus not properly addressed.⁠
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Here are some common signs and symptoms to watch out for:⁠
‼️Frequent cavities⁠
‼️Bad breath⁠
‼️Bleeding gums⁠
‼️Tonsil stones⁠
‼️Excessive plaque/tartar buildup⁠
‼️Chronic dental pain⁠
‼️Sensitivity to hot and cold⁠
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In my practice, we use a saliva test to measure specific pathogens in the mouth. This helps us pinpoint issues and prioritize an appropriate individual protocol.⁠
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So, how do you improve your oral microbiome to prevent disease and avoid dental issues? I've got 11 steps for you. See you back here tomorrow! ⁠
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Don't forget: the full article on oral microbiome health is available at drchristinemaren.com!
How can your oral health increase your risk of chr How can your oral health increase your risk of chronic disease and health issues? Let's nerd out for a bit. ⁠
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Most of us wouldn’t consider the connection between our mouths and other organs and systems.⁠
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After all, we see a dentist for our teeth and a doctor for the rest of our body. Plus, very few health experts talk about the connection.⁠
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So here’s the deal: the oral microbiome and gut microbiome are your body’s two largest microbial ecosystems, and science has shown they are intimately connected via the oral-gut microbiome axis.⁠
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This makes sense, given digestion begins in the mouth with the production of amylase in saliva, an enzyme that begins to break down starches.⁠
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Per a 2021 review entitled: “Oral–Gut Microbiome Axis in Gastrointestinal Disease and Cancer” published in the journal Cancers [PMID: 33924899]:⁠
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“Recent studies have demonstrated that the oral-to-gut and gut-to-oral microbial transmission can regulate pathogenesis, indicating the presence of the oral–gut microbiome axis."⁠
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The researchers go on to discuss how specific pathogens in the mouth have been shown to trickle into the gut microbiome and vice-versa, which can reshape the terrain of each ecosystem for better or worse.⁠
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So, if your oral health is good, it will positively impact your gut microbiome.⁠
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However, if your oral health is poor, those pathogens in the mouth can cause or contribute to gut dysbiosis. Likewise, if your gut health is poor, it can lead to “mystery” teeth and gum issues.⁠
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Could this solve the mystery of why some people are more prone to cavities and gum disease than others, even if they avoid sugar???⁠
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My conservative answer is more research is needed to make a definitive conclusion.⁠
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However, based on the existing evidence and my personal and clinical experience, I am quite confident that oral-to-gut and gut-to-oral pathways do play a key role in cavity and gum disease susceptibility.⁠
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I know this is a lot, but let me know your thoughts below!⁠
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#oralhealth #oralhygiene #guthealth
Many of us have heard about the link between gum d Many of us have heard about the link between gum disease and heart disease (a great motivator to floss daily!).⁠
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However, what’s lesser known (and what I wish I had known during my health crisis) is how pathogens in the mouth can increase your risk of a wide variety of health problems.⁠
⁠
Some examples include:⁠
➡️Arthritis⁠
➡️Cancer⁠
➡️Chronic inflammation⁠
➡️Chronic kidney disease⁠
➡️Dementia and Alzheimer’s⁠
➡️Diabetes⁠
➡️Erectile Dysfunction⁠
➡️Heart Disease⁠
➡️Hypertension⁠
➡️Obesity⁠
➡️Pregnancy complications including preterm birth, decreased birth weight, and even blood infection in the placenta or newborn.⁠
➡️Respiratory ailments such as pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease⁠
➡️Stroke⁠
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How exactly can oral pathogens wreak so much havoc on the entire body? We'll dive deep into the science tomorrow. ⁠
⁠
PMID: 28353075⁠
PMID: 33924899⁠
PMID: 29142443
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