When was your child’s or your last dental check-up? Did you receive good news with no cavities, or was there yet another cavity that had to be filled? Even with brushing and flossing your teeth, dental cavities can still occur. Have you ever wondered why? There is a direct connection between the health of the microbiome in your mouth and the development of dental cavities.

Oral Microbiome

Your mouth, or oral microbiome, is home to several hundred different microbes that naturally colonize your teeth, tongue, cheeks, tonsils, gums, and hard and soft palates of your mouth. It is the second most abundant site of microorganisms in your body after the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, a healthy oral microbiome in your saliva consists of a natural biofilm or a barrier, which helps protect and maintain its natural balance.

Factors that Affect the Oral Microbiome

The oral microbiome is impacted by the types of foods and beverages you consume. Diets rich in sugar, simple starches, processed foods, and beverages adversely alter the mouth microbiome. Furthermore, the use of tobacco, alcohol, mouthwashes, candies, or lozenges can also disrupt the oral microbiome. Medications such as antibiotics, oral steroids, illnesses, age-related factors that reduce saliva production, and even pregnancy can lead to changes in the normal flora in your mouth.

Effects of Oral Microbiome Changes

When the oral microbiome is disrupted or in a state of dysbiosis, it can have a significant impact on your health. Changes in oral microbiome can lead to dental cavities or caries. Moreover, adverse changes to the microbiome have been linked to various diseases, including diabetes, autoimmune disorders, cancer, and preterm births.

Ongoing research with the Microbiome Project shows that the natural interplay of your oral microbiome with your gut microbiome may contribute to further health changes and several diseases. Some concerns identified include increased intestinal permeability, type I diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, atherosclerotic plaques (heart disease), and Alzheimer’s disease.

Dental Caries

This article focuses on the worldwide health concern of oral microbiome changes and their association with dental cavities or caries. While dental cavities are an especially significant concern for early childhood, they can occur all ages. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, severe early childhood caries is “the presence of one or more decayed (non-cavitated or cavitated lesions), missing (due to caries) or filled tooth surfaces in any primary tooth” in children under the age of six. Was this you? Or your child or grandchild?

Statistics show that, on average, the occurrence of early childhood caries in 1-year-old children is 17%. By the age of 2, this occurrence increases to 36%. In 3-, 4- and 5-year-old preschoolers, the prevalence is 43%, 55% and 63%, respectively.

Early childhood cavities are associated with pain, dental abscess, a higher risk of hospitalization, and emergency room visits. They can also negatively impact learning, growth, sleep patterns and self-esteem.

In view of the diseases identified above that are linked to oral microbiome changes, it is important to ask and consider whether the rise in type I diabetes or other autoimmune disorders in adolescents and young adults is connected to their dental health in early childhood.

Candida and Dental Caries

A major factor of dental caries is Candida overgrowth. Candida is a normal yeast inhabitant of your gut microbiome as well your oral microbiome. However, when Candida is in a state of overgrowth relative to other beneficial flora, it affects the health of your teeth and makes you highly prone to dental cavities, especially in early childhood. Candida thrives on simple sugars and starches and can also flourish after antibiotic and steroid medication use.

Early Childhood Cavities

Research has found a significant link between Candida albicans to dental cavities. A study published in the Journal of Dental Research in 2018 evaluated the saliva microbiota and dental plaque of young children and their mothers. The preschool participants and their mothers were separated into one of two groups, either free of dental caries or had severe early childhood dental caries.

Test results of children with severe early childhood dental cavities showed significant levels of Candida albicans in the mouth which interacted with the oral microbiome, especially the bacteria, Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). There were also greater levels of other plaque-forming bacteria in the mouth.

Findings also strongly suggested that the mother’s oral microbiome influenced their child’s oral microbiome in both groups. S. mutans are bacteria that promote dental cavities through carbohydrate metabolism and acid production in the mouth.

Cavities Affect All Ages

Candida and dental issues can impact individuals of all ages. According to a recent meta-analysis, the prevalence of Candida and dental caries in children/adolescents and adults with oral microbiome dysbiosis was 80% and 48% respectively. They concluded that regardless of age or other factors, individuals with the presence of Candida in their mouth have a higher prevalence of dental caries.

If you have a dry mouth, this too increases Candida overgrowth and dental caries. Elderly adults can have very significant concerns with this issue.

Perfect Storm Leads to Mineral Loss in Teeth

Further research describes dental cavities as due to “biofilm-mediated dysbiosis involving changes to the core microbiome composition and function, which leads to the demineralization of tooth tissues due to the fermentation of dietary carbohydrates, producing acid by select oral bacteria.”

This means that the imbalanced oral flora of Candida, S. mutans and other germ colonies hide behind the glue-like slime of biofilms. Candida and S. mutans interact with each other amplifying their acid-damage effects. Dietary simple sugars and starches add more acid to the environment in your mouth. This combination of germ gangs, acid pH, and biofilms leaches minerals from your teeth that lead to the formation of dental cavities and plaque.

Further research has shown that Candida albicans has a 20-times higher ability than S mutans to dissolve calcium hydroxyapatite in teeth!

Got Braces?

Oral dental appliances, also known as Fixed Orthodontic Appliances, increase the risk of Candida and oral microbiome dysbiosis. Dental appliances include braces, retainers, retention, and expanders, etc. Candida and other microbes can colonize the appliance.

Tips for a Healthy Mouth Microbiome

To maintain a healthy mouth microbiome, it is essential to make dietary changes. Reduce or eliminate sugar-rich, high starch, acid-rich processed foods and beverages.

Dental experts state that simple starches and acid-rich foods are the worst foods for your teeth. The most problematic foods include saltine or Goldfish crackers, or any type of white crackers, energy drinks like Red Bull, Vitamin Water, Gatorade and other fortified waters, dried fruit and fruity snacks, and soda pop including diet pop. These foods are super promoters for Candida and S. mutans that promote decay and bad breath too! They are even worse than candy, but candy still feeds Candida and promotes oral dysbiosis.

Instead, choose whole foods, fermented and cultured foods, and fiber-rich foods that help the pH of your mouth. Encourage healthier snacks for your kids, such as nut butter on apples or celery, baby carrots, almonds, and dark chocolate. Make your own natural electrolyte beverage without the added sugar.

Additionally, reduce or avoid alcohol and tobacco. If possible, change to an alternative medication that doesn’t dry out your mouth. Maintain daily hygiene habits and change your toothbrush every 6 months. These habits are especially important if you wear a fixed dental appliances. Also, consider using food-grade hydrogen peroxide or a natural essential oil mouth rinse to help refresh your mouth. Supporting your immune system is also an important factor that can help rebalance your microbiome.

The sound and feel of the dental drill are never fun. However, it is crucial to remember that health starts with your diet and what you feed your microbiome. A healthy gut microbiome is fundamental to overall health. The second-largest microbiome, found in your mouth, is also vital for your health and well-being.

Have you noticed the “gunky” feel or bad breath in your mouth after consuming saltines or Goldfish crackers and then try to wash it down with a soda pop or energy drink? How did the dental check-up go for you and the kids? It’s time to eliminate the crackers and other worst foods and beverages from your diet and start making healthier choices today and every day!

Additional resources:

Nutrients for a Healthy Mouth Microbiome

Atrial Fibrillation Linked to Stress, Diabetes, Dental Health, and Gut Health

Women Reduce Cardiovascular Events 33% with Regular Dental Visits

Periodontal Disease Linked with Diabetes and Heart Health

Chronic Sinusitis Linked with Periodontal Disease, Candida, and Food Allergies

Cell Phones, MRIs, Wi-Fi Cause Microleakage of Dental Amalgam Fillings

Mask Mouth, Dry Mouth Impacts Dental Health

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