Inflammation is an uncomfortable symptom marked by four classic signs: calor, dolor, rubor, and tumor, or heat, pain, redness, and swelling. 

Although we've been taught that inflammation is negative, it is actually a good thing (to an extent!). Inflammation is our body's natural response to an injury or infection. It is a sign of increased blood flow and immune activity to the affected area. Without inflammation, your body would not be able to heal injuries and sicknesses. 

In other words, inflammation precedes healing. 

But, what about chronic inflammation? 

Chronic inflammation occurs when there isn't enough energy to bring the normal healing cycle to completion. Chronic inflammation is the result of insufficient energy flow into the cell. The body gets "stuck" in a state of healing, continuously sending energy to mop up a mess that it doesn't have the supplies to fix. 

As a result, symptoms persist. 

There are many factors that go into decreased cellular energy flow, but it boils down to systemic depletion. A vicious cycle is created through a combination of nutrient deficiencies, toxic accumulation, high microbial burdens, chronic stress, and lack of proper movement and sleep. This creates the perfect environment for overburdened cells and therefore decreased energy production, which in turn makes us less resilient to dealing with these stressors. 

Inflammation, then, is the symptom and not the root cause. Breaking the inflammatory cycle depends on getting to the root of the issue: cell energy production. This is done by increasing cellular energy, while assisting our body's ability to remove stressors. 

Addressing solutions to toxic burden and stressors is a whole topic that requires its own separate blog, but I will list some solutions to increasing cellular energy production: 

1. Red Light Therapy. Research suggests that red light therapy strengthens mitochondrial function. Our mitochondria are the organelles where ATP is created. 
2. More Minerals. Essential and trace minerals are crucial for cell function and various functions throughout the body, from the Kreb's Cycle to nerve function to muscle building. A great way to increase mineral consumption is by adding trace mineral drops to your water, or adding supplements to your diet that are high in minerals and trace minerals, like Shilajit. 
3. Ozone. Ozone therapy is a regenerative medicine that has been shown to increase tissue and cell oxygenation, stimulate the body's innate healing mechanism called preconditioning, and increasing mitochondrial function. 

By adding in therapies and targeted supplements and decreasing toxic overload, cell energy production can be restored, and therefore chronic inflammation can be eliminated. 

The body is a complex network of connected systems that all depend on each other to function optimally. In recent years, scientific research has shed light on the interplay between different parts of our body, revealing connections that were previously underestimated or overlooked. One such connection exists between our oral health and gut health. While it may seem surprising at first, the health of our mouth can influence the health of our gut. In this article, we'll delve into the science behind this link, exploring how maintaining good oral hygiene can positively impact gut health, and overall health.

Understanding the Oral Microbiome

When you hear "microbiome" you probably think of the gut, but did you know that the mouth has its own microbiome? The mouth hosts a complex ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, most of which are beneficial or harmless, just like our gut. However, when our oral microbiome becomes disrupted and harmful microbes outnumber the good, it creates an environment for issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. 

The Gut Microbiome: Our Gut's Guardians

Similarly, our gut is made up of a community of microorganisms called the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in various aspects of our health, including detoxification, immune function, and our hormones. Research shows that a balanced and diverse gut microbiome is associated with better overall health, and an unbalanced microbiome can manifest conditions such as IBS, obesity, and even mental health disorders. 

The Mouth-Gut Axis: Bridging Two Worlds

So, how are these two seemingly separate systems connected? The answer lies in what is called the "mouth-gut-axis." Your mouth and gut are on opposite ends of the same line, and your gastrointestinal tract begins in your mouth. Think of it like a river, what happens upstream makes its way downstream. This means that everything that is swallowed, both the good and the bad, makes its way to the gut. 

Shockingly, studies have shown that up to 25% of people are walking around with an unknown tooth infection, and there is a strong link between high amounts of pathogenic oral bacteria and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Knowing this statistic, it's no wonder that cases of gut dysfunction and IBS are on the rise. 

The Influence of Oral Health on the Gut & Body

• Oral Bacteria and Systemic Inflammation: Research suggests that certain harmful bacteria found in the mouth can enter the gut through swallowing or through the bloodstream, potentially contributing to inflammation and dysbiosis (microbial imbalance) in the gut.
• Periodontal Disease and Gut Dysbiosis: Studies have found associations between periodontal disease (gum disease) and alterations in the gut microbiome, indicating that oral health problems may impact gut health.
• Poor Oral Hygiene and Systemic Diseases: Chronic oral infections and inflammation have been linked to systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even Alzheimer's disease, highlighting the importance of oral health in maintaining overall health.

Maintaining a Healthy Mouth

Considering the importance the mouth's microbiome has on the gut, and the rest of the body, it's clear that prioritizing oral hygiene is crucial for maintaining optimal health. Here are some practices, aside from brushing and flossing daily, for promoting a healthy oral microbiome:

 1. Ditch the Harmful Mouthwashes: While it may seem like a good idea to minimize bacteria in the mouth, most conventional mouthwashes have an adverse effect on oral health and they kill off too much of the good bacteria. This leads to an imbalance in the microbiome. Try homemade alternatives that use baking soda, essential oils, or apple cider vinegar that are less harsh on the microbiome. 

2. Replace Your Toothbrush Every 3 Months: A good rule of thumb is to replace your toothbrush at least every 3-4 months, and after every time you are sick. Your toothbrush can harbor bacteria that can take residency in your mouth.

3. Oil Pulling with Ozonated Oil: Oil pulling is an Ayurvedic practice that has been used for thousands of years to gently remove bacteria from the mouth and strengthen gums and teeth. We have taken this ancient practice and added a modern twist by adding ozone (activated oxygen). Recent research has come to light about the success of ozone therapy in dentistry, and it is demonstrated to be an effective therapy for various oral conditions such as gum disease, viral and fungal lesions, and reversal of early cavities. 

Conclusion

Oral health is an underrated aspect of gut health and overall health, and research is now coming forth that highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy oral microbiome. We now know that poor oral health can be a precursor to gut dysbiosis and many systemic diseases including cardiovascular disease and even Alzheimer's. There are practices that can be used to restore and maintain a healthy oral microbiome such as homemade mouthwashes, replacing your toothbrush, and oil pulling. 

Our newest product, RestOral, was designed specifically for oral microbiome restoration. Crafted with care, we've combined the time-tested practice of oil pulling with the power of ozonated organic, solvent-free sunflower oil and a  curated blend of essential oils, chosen for their remarkable oral health benefits. 

 

Sources:

• Sampaio-Maia B, Caldas IM, Pereira ML, Pérez-Mongiovi D, Araujo R. The Oral Microbiome in Health and Its Implication in Oral and Systemic Diseases. Adv Appl Microbiol. 2016;97:171-210.
• Sun J, Chang EB. Exploring gut microbes in human health and disease: Pushing the envelope. Genes Dis. 2014;1(2):132-139.
• Belstrøm D, Holmstrup P, Bardow A, Kokaras A, Fiehn NE, Paster BJ. Comparative analysis of bacterial profiles in unstimulated and stimulated saliva samples. J Oral Microbiol. 2016;8:30112.
• Duran-Pinedo AE, Chen T, Teles R, et al. Community-wide transcriptome of the oral microbiome in subjects with and without periodontitis. ISME J. 2014;8(8):1659-1672.
• Dashper SG, Mitchell HL, Lê Cao KA, et al. Temporal development of the oral microbiome and prediction of early childhood caries. Sci Rep. 2019;9(1):19732.
• Rook GA. Regulation of the immune system by biodiversity from the natural environment: An ecosystem service essential to health. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013;110(46):18360-18367.

There are many misconceptions about ozone as a therapeutic agent because of the association with ozone pollution. Rest assured, ozone is safe an effective when used in controlled doses. Ozone therapy has been studied and used for well over 150 years. The reason behind why it works so well is because it activates a powerful protective mechanism in the body called preconditioning, which leads to a plethora of health benefits. Here are the 5 most common myths about ozone therapy debunked.