I’m sharing a new study today that fills a critical gap in how we think about the oral microbiome.
Conversations about the oral microbiome often focus in one direction: for example, how gum disease can worsen diabetes or contribute to heart disease and Alzheimer’s. That focus is important, but incomplete.
The relationship is bidirectional.
Systemic disease can worsen oral disease, and oral disease can influence systemic health — yet most discussion emphasizes the latter. We need a more balanced perspective.
Take diabetes as an example. If a patient has diabetes, it’s essential to understand how well their blood sugar is controlled and what treatments they’re receiving. Without reliable information from the treating physician about the patient’s metabolic status, dental care is being provided without the full clinical picture.
Both patients and practitioners should recognize that systemic conditions can change the host response to oral bacteria, altering susceptibility and outcomes.
This two-way interaction is complex and requires more research, but it’s important that both dentists and physicians appreciate and address these connections in coordinated care.
🎧 Episode #55: Tonsil Stones, Bad Breath and Grinding: What’s the Connection?
- Why I recommend delaying tonsil surgery [0:06:47]
- How to recognize a tonsil stone [0:08:33]
- Tonsil microbiome and its role in stone formation [0:10:39]
- Practical ways to prevent or treat tonsil stones [0:12:41]
- When to see a dentist and what to expect [0:14:37]
- How mouth breathing contributes to tonsil stones [0:15:51]
- How dentists can identify mouth breathing [0:18:48]
- Foods, drinks, and products to avoid when dealing with tonsil stones [0:19:25]
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Have a great week,
P.S. On the topic of the oral microbiome, one book I recommend to both patients and clinicians is Heal Your Oral Microbiome. It’s a thorough, engaging read that’s worth your time.