What Your Mouth Is Trying To Tell You: The Hidden Connection Between Oral Health & Chronic Disease with Dr Victoria Sampson #511

When you think about improving your health, do you ever think about the health of your mouth? If you heard last week’s episode with Dr Emily Leeming, you will know just how important your gut microbiome is, for many aspects of your health, but did you know that your mouth also has its own microbiome, and the health of it is just as important? Today’s guest is Dr Victoria Sampson, a functional dentist and researcher based in central London, whose work has been recognised all over the world, resulting in her becoming a scientific advisor and clinical lead to several international dental companies, as well as a topical team member of the European Space Agency and NASA. She has published numerous scientific papers, was the first dentist in the world to link gum disease with worse COVID complications. She also recently launched her own oral microbiome test, Oralis 1, which assesses the saliva for bacteria, inflammatory markers, and genetic mutations. In this fascinating conversation, Victoria reveals why we must stop treating the mouth as separate from the rest of the body and explains how the oral microbiome - home to 700 different species of bacteria - influences everything from our blood sugar control to the health of our hearts. She also shares compelling research showing how treating gum disease can improve our blood sugar levels, why men with poor oral health are nearly three times more likely to experience erectile dysfunction, the relationship between the oral microbiome and autoimmune disease, the surprising link between oral health and fertility and so much more. Throughout the conversation, Victoria shares practical tips that we can all use immediately to improve our short-term and our long-term health. Whether you're dealing with persistent dental problems despite good hygiene, managing a chronic health condition, or simply want to optimise your wellbeing, this conversation offers a powerful reminder that the path to better health might just start in your mouth. I hope you enjoy listening. Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. This January, try FREE for 30 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com. Thanks to our

Actionable Insights

1. Prioritize Regular Dental Hygiene

Schedule a professional hygiene appointment at least every six months, as this practice can significantly reduce inflammatory markers and improve blood glucose levels, potentially lowering HbA1c by 0.4% in diabetic patients.

2. Spit, Don’t Rinse After Brushing

After brushing your teeth for two minutes, spit out the toothpaste but avoid rinsing your mouth with water, as rinsing washes away the beneficial ingredients from the toothpaste that protect your teeth.

3. Encourage Nasal Breathing at Night

Practice nasal breathing during sleep, potentially using mouth tape, to prevent your mouth from drying out and to avoid introducing unwanted bacteria, as saliva is critically important for maintaining oral health.

4. Strategic Snacking for Oral Health

Avoid frequent snacking, especially on sugary items, throughout the day; instead, consume all treats at once, followed by water, because each snack increases saliva acidity, leading to demineralization and decay.

5. Rinse Mouth After Meals/Treats

After consuming anything sugary or acidic, or after any meal, rinse your mouth with water to remove food remnants and help neutralize saliva acidity, but do not brush immediately after acidic intake.

6. Floss Before Brushing

Floss your teeth before brushing, as over 30% of bacteria reside between your teeth, and flossing first effectively removes these before brushing cleans the rest of your mouth.

7. Address Bleeding Gums Promptly

Recognize bleeding gums as an early warning sign of potential gum inflammation or disease, and seek professional dental advice if you experience them, as they are not normal.

8. Avoid SLS in Toothpaste

Choose toothpastes that do not contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a foaming agent that can irritate soft tissues in the mouth, cause ulcers, and negatively impact the oral microbiome.

9. Judicious Mouthwash Use

Use mouthwash sparingly and only when prescribed by a dentist for a specific problem, opting for alcohol-free options and using it at a separate time from brushing to avoid disrupting the oral microbiome or canceling out toothpaste effects.

10. Prioritize Oral Health During Pregnancy

Pregnant individuals should have a professional hygiene appointment every three months, as untreated gum disease during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.

11. Promote Jaw Development in Children

Encourage children to eat harder, crunchy foods like carrots to provide mechanical stimulus for proper jaw development, rather than relying solely on soft, ultra-processed foods.

12. Consider Oral Microbiome Testing

Explore oral microbiome testing (e.g., Oralis1) to gain a deeper understanding of your oral health and potential risks, which can empower you to seek appropriate dental care and lifestyle changes.

13. Wait to Brush After Eating

Wait a minimum of 30 minutes after eating, especially after consuming acidic or sugary foods, before brushing your teeth to allow your saliva to naturally neutralize acids and prevent grinding acid into your tooth enamel.

14. Moderate Tongue Scraping

Incorporate tongue scraping into your routine a couple of times a week using an ayurvedic metal tongue scraper, being careful not to scrape too aggressively to avoid damaging tongue buds.