Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a prevalent condition that affects a significant portion of the global population. It is characterized by inflammation of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth.
Gum disease can lead to serious health complications if left unaddressed, including tooth loss and potential systemic health issues. In this article, we will discuss factors contributing to gum disease and natural options that may help support oral health.
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What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a common condition that affects the soft tissue around the teeth. Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and can be found in up to 90% of the population.
Gingivitis is characterized by inflammation of the gums and can present with swelling, redness, and bleeding during brushing or flossing. Gingivitis is reversible with proper attention to oral hygiene.
If gingivitis is left unaddressed, it can progress to periodontitis. Periodontitis occurs when bacteria penetrate deeper into the periodontium, resulting in bad breath, receding gums, and pus formation between the teeth and gums.
Recognizing early signs of gingivitis and implementing intervention can help support oral health and prevent the progression of gum disease (22).
What is Root Cause Medicine?
Root cause medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that looks beyond symptom management and focuses on identifying and addressing factors contributing to disease. It focuses on each patient as an individual and examines physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of health.
While conventional medicine often examines labs and symptoms, root cause medicine includes nutrition, lifestyle, genetic factors, and underlying infections and toxicity in the body.
By applying the principles of root cause medicine to oral health and gum disease, practitioners can offer more comprehensive and personalized approaches that address factors contributing to disease (57).
Identifying the 4 Most Common Factors Contributing to Gum Disease
There might be a genetic factor influencing someone’s predisposition to gum disease. However, the following factors tend to have a larger impact on oral health:
1. Nutrient Deplete Diet:
Nutrition plays an important role in maintaining oral health, influencing the risk of developing cavities, gum disease, and even oral cancer. A high-sugar, high-saturated fat, and low-fiber diet has been associated with an increased risk of periodontal disease.
In addition, alcohol consumption is associated with an increase in gum disease.
On the contrary, a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, low sugar, and high fiber diet may help support oral health. Specifically, following a Mediterranean diet, vegetarian diet, or DASH diet is associated with a decrease in gum disease (32).
2. Poor Gut Health:
Gut dysbiosis is associated with various conditions throughout the human body. There is microbial transmission between the oral cavity and gut microbiome, emphasizing the presence of an oral-gut microbiome axis.
The link between oral health and gut dysbiosis is bi-directional. For example, in patients with Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD), studies show a direct change in the oral microbiome leading to early stages of gum disease.
It is also suggested that inflammation within the gut from Crohn's, Celiac, IBS, etc., may trigger an immune response resulting in proinflammatory cytokines entering systemic circulation and affecting the oral microbiome.
Furthermore, oral pathogens such as P. gingivalis, a bacteria implicated in gingivitis, may impact the gut lining which can contribute to gastrointestinal issues (2, 7, 33).
3. High Stress:
When under stress, the body releases cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline which have all been associated with changes in the oral microbiome. Increased cortisol levels are linked to shifts in the oral cavity associated with periodontal disease.
Additionally, the secretion of noradrenaline and adrenaline may promote the growth of Actinomyces, Eikenella, and Campylobacter within the oral cavity. These findings suggest hormonal changes when under stress are associated with a rise in bacteria that may contribute to gum disease (34).
To learn more about the connection between stress and oral health, read this article:
4. Exposure to Environmental Toxins:
Smoking tobacco is associated with an increased risk of developing periodontal disease. Individuals who regularly smoke cigarettes may experience greater risk for developing bone loss, deep periodontal pockets of inflammation, and tooth loss. It has also been shown that smoking is associated with a decrease in the effectiveness of treatments.
In addition to smoking, the presence of elevated heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury is associated with an increased risk of developing periodontitis (21, 22).
How to Support Oral Health
After understanding the contributing factors, the pathway to supporting oral health becomes clearer.
First, Increase Nutrients in the Diet:
Nutrients provide the building blocks for gum health, which is why increasing nutrients is a helpful way to start a plan to support oral health.
- Micronutrients such as vitamins C, A, E, folic acid, and calcium are important for maintaining periodontal health.
- Increasing the intake of carotenoids through consuming carrots, sweet potatoes, and green leafy vegetables may help support vitamin A levels.
- Increasing citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruit may help support healthy vitamin C levels.
- For more specific guidance on following this type of diet, you can read more about the Mediterranean diet (32).
Nutrient-dense foods that also have anti-inflammatory properties are another important group to add to the diet.
- Shifting total fat intake to include more omega-3 fatty acids may help support healthy inflammation levels and is associated with a decreased risk of gum disease.
- Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids include olive oil, salmon, flaxseed, walnuts, and soybeans (32).
The intake of dietary fiber in the diet is inversely associated with periodontal disease. Examples of foods high in fiber are fruits, oats, vegetables, and beans.
In addition to incorporating healthy food choices, supplementing with xylitol and CoQ10 has shown a significant reduction in gingival inflammation and bacteria (31, 32).
Second, Support Gut Health:
In addition to a healthy diet, implementing probiotics and fermented foods can beneficially impact our gut microbiome. A healthier gut microbiome is linked to improved oral health.
Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi, and yogurt contain beneficial probiotics that may aid in a healthy gut. It has also been shown that a diet high in fermented foods is associated with decreased signs of inflammation in the gut.
Incorporating probiotic and prebiotic supplements may also aid in improving gut health by supporting the colonization of healthy strains of bacteria and decreasing pathogenic strains (30, 47).
If poor gut health is significant, providers should target this more directly. Here are helpful articles to learn more about supporting gut health:
- How to Heal Your Gut Naturally With Functional Nutrition
- Natural Anti-Inflammatory Agents for Gut Health: An Evidence-Based Review
- How to Create a Gut Healthy Nutrition Meal Plan
- Fueling Your Gut: The Best Foods To Restore Gut Health
Third, Manage Stress With Stress Management Techniques
Because stress hormones are associated with an increase in periodontal disease, stress management is a critical part of a well-rounded oral health plan.
Implementing stress reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, and regular exercise are effective methods in calming stress hormones.
One study showed that practicing yoga may support treatment outcomes by decreasing stress in periodontal disease. Further research has shown practicing pranayama, a type of yoga, is associated with a decrease in salivary cortisol and, thus, a decrease in the level of plaque and gingival inflammation (1, 38).
Finally, Reduce Exposure to Toxins and Support Gentle Detoxification
Periodontal disease is associated with increased exposure to heavy metals and smoking tobacco. These metals can be found either within the cigarettes themselves, in unclean water, or in contaminated foods.
To decrease exposure to environmental toxins, consider eating primarily organic-grown food, avoiding processed foods, eliminating plastics, and avoiding aluminum-based cooking equipment.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, one-quarter of Americans are exposed to toxicants within the water supply. To decrease this exposure, consider installing a carbon-based filter into the main water line of your home (35).
It also may be beneficial to explore the following practices that support the body’s detoxification pathways:
- Consider eating or supplementing additional specific nutrients such as B vitamins, sulfur-rich foods, and antioxidants like vitamins C and E because they all support the liver and protect against oxidative stress.
- Consider supplementing with milk thistle, NAC, and curcumin, which may also support kidney and liver detoxification (54).
- Dosages should be discussed with a healthcare practitioner who can make a recommendation based on total medical history.
How to Integrate Root Cause Medicine with Conventional Dental Care
Holistic dentistry approaches gum disease with a focus on oral health and its relation to other organ systems. Conventional dentistry often focuses on treating symptoms rather than looking at contributing factors.
It is important to address periodontal disease with a holistic approach to identify the factors contributing to disease and make the necessary lifestyle adjustments needed to support overall health.
Functional medicine practitioners and dentists can collaborate to optimize patient outcomes. By working together, medical professionals and dentists can address both the dental aspects of gum disease and its systemic implications (52).
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Key Takeaways
- The adoption of root-cause medicine in addressing periodontal disease offers significant promise in both the support and management of gum health.
- Patients may benefit from integrating holistic health strategies such as proper nutrition and stress management techniques when addressing periodontal health.
- Readers are encouraged to seek out healthcare practitioners who embrace a comprehensive approach to dental care.
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