Just like you have a gut microbiome, your mouth is also teeming with a considerable number of microbe species that need to be kept in balance. Otherwise, chaos ensues. The homeostasis of your mouth is like Woodstock, where a conglomeration of bacteria, viruses, and even fungi cooperate to maintain peace, love, and harmony. However, if some hooligans, up to no good, find a way to infiltrate, then we start to see gum disease and dental caries along with other systemic issues like cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Speaking of cardiovascular disease, roughly 90% of people diagnosed with CVD were also found to have a simultaneous oral cavity infection. Then there is rheumatoid arthritis which has a direct link to a disrupted oral microbiome. For you women, breast health and oral health are practically synonymous.
Remember that the mouth is part of the digestive system, which makes it a window into the health of your stomach and intestines. An acute or minor insult may not show on the tongue, teeth, or gums, but a chronic issue will be represented in some form here. There is also a mass communication system relaying information between the microbes of your mouth, gut, and even your skin, as well as your nervous system.
Saliva = 98% water
- Electrolytes
- Proteins
- Enzymes
- Mucus
- Antibodies
- Microbes
- Hormones
- Nutrients
One of the forgotten systems of your body is the lymphatic system, although it is now seeing a resurgence in both the literature and in clinical application. Your teeth and gums have an intricate, local lymphatic system that produces a microscopic sweat-like secretion onto the tooth surface to maintain health. Unfortunately, this process can be reversed due to chronic stress and excessive sugar consumption, providing an entrance for pathogenic bacteria. Then to protect themselves from detection and eradication, they can form biofilms that protect them from your immune system and make them resistant to many antibiotics. If you have not noticed by now, your mouth is a delicate ecosystem that is quite interconnected with the rest of your body. It is time we got away from our reductionist viewpoint so that we stop missing the forest for the trees, as the saying goes.
Mercury & Fluoride
Many of us these days have been unaware that those silver fillings in our teeth are gradually, but constantly, leaking toxic mercury into our bloodstream. The procedure is often presented as an innocuous treatment without much in the way of side effects, even though mercury has been banned from all other medical usage in the United States. The worst part is as you chew, as most of us do to extract our vital nutrients, more fluoride seeps out that we ultimately swallow. As mercury builds up in our systems, especially the brain, it becomes one of the most toxic substances on the planet for human beings. Since it is a metal, it will also make you an antenna for non-native EMFs, increasing your susceptibility to mitochondrial dysfunction, calcium dysregulation, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Fluoride is another chemical that has no right being in our bodies. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to keep it from entering your immaculate skin suit as it is added to municipal water, included in commercial toothpastes, and used during dental cleaning procedures. The main issue with fluoride is that it will compete, and often outcompete, iodine for the thyroid and breast tissue. It also can accumulate in your pineal gland, calcifying the main contributor to your circadian rhythm and third eye chakra.
Dietary Changes & Home Care
The culprit is sugar. That oh-so sweet tasting substance that drives us wild. Added sugar in all of its forms, and the sugar substitutes, need to be limited so that our oral pH remains within a 6.5 to 7.5 range. You will also want to keep a healthy balance between your acidic foods and alkaline foods. Everything comes down to balance in this life. I have 2 strategies that I like to use to rebalance my oral microbiome.
They are oil pulling & swishing with a combination of baking soda and apple cider vinegar. For the oil pulling, take a dab of virgin coconut oil and slowly swirl it in your mouth for 5-10 minutes. You can do it longer if you want but there is a possibility of reabsorbing toxins. Adding a couple drops of peppermint, cardamom, rose, oregano, thyme, or lemon can help to break up biofilms. For the swish concoction, combine baking soda & ACV in a 2:1 ratio & swish for up to 5 minutes. Place the desired amount of baking soda in your mouth and then add the ACV separately in order to avoid a mess in the kitchen.
Nasal Breathing
The main aspect to consider with strictly breathing through your nose is that you can maintain proper moisture and pH while keeping your mouth closed. Your beneficial microbes will proliferate and defend their lovely home against any unwanted little deviants.
Home-made Toothpaste Recipe
- 2 tbsp. Virgin Coconut Oil
- 2 tbsp. Bentonite Clay
- 1 tsp. Baking Soda
- 5-6 drops of Food-grade Peppermint Oil (Alternative = Cinnamon)
- Dash of Sea Salt
- Add Water to preference
- (Optional) 3-4 drops of Neem Oil
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