Dr. Jonathan Richter DDS, FAGD
Recently, presented in the journal Oral Diseases, research discovered that colitis was aggravated by the presence of several oral bacteria.
The research also identified the virulent oral bacteria invaded the bloodstream, giving further ammunition to the growing belief gum disease could be linked to several health conditions.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition of the digestive system, often brought on in periods of stress or having eaten certain foods. Symptoms first appear during the 20 to 30s, and experts believe at least 261,000 people are affected by the disease, although some data suggests the actual figure could be double.
This is just one more reason that you need to keep your gums healthy. The mouth is often the first point of contact for most bacteria that enters your system, so it’s important to make sure you’re doing the right things to keep your mouth in pristine condition.
Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day, cut down intake of sugary foods and drinks and visit your dentist regularly. Once you are into a routine of doing these things, you can also clean in between your teeth with interdental brushes or floss and use a mouthwash.
IBS can also be a lifestyle-related disease, so it is important to begin to regulate your diet to minimize flare-ups.
Source: Dr. Jonathan Richter, DDS, FAGD, of Cardiodontal. Offices in Great Neck and Manhattan. For more information, call 516-282-0310 or visit Cardiodontal.com. See ad on back page.
