Your Periodontal Health and Candida

Say "Aaaaah..."

According to the American Dental Association, Periodontal disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film that can contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. Plaque contains bacteria that produce harmful toxins. If teeth are not cleaned well, the toxins can irritate and inflame the gums. You can help prevent plaque and periodontal disease by brushing your teeth twice a day and floss daily.

But did you know that there is another way to promote periodontal health on top of just regular brushing and flossing? The use of Probiotics has been proven to significantly improve periodontal health.

The Hidden #Candida Link

Unhealthy gums are seen by easy-bleeding tendencies when you brush or floss. Even if you regularly care for your teeth that way, the presence of a Candida overgrowth in the body may place your periodontal health at risk.

Our oral cavity has mucosal surfaces that maintain the moist environment within. It is believed to be the primary oral reservoirs of Candida species. These species can also coaggregate with bacteria in the subgingival biofilmand adhere to epithelial cells (the cells of the mucosal lining of our mouth). This interactions allow Candida to invade gingival tissues and allow for microbial colonization that contributes to the progression of oral health problems. Candida in our oral mucosa also produce high levels of exoenzymes which adds to the development of Periodontitis - a chronic inflammatory condition of the gums.

#Probiotics to the Rescue

Various clinical research and studies show that probiotics significantly improve the #periodontal health of individuals suffering from gingivitis and periodontitis. This is simply related to the eventual management of Candida overgrowth - the missing link in modern health management. Probiotics had been shown to also help with Halitosis (or Bad Breath). Halitosis is actually caused by volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) produced by bacteria that colonizes the oral cavity, and studies have shown that probiotics help inhibit the production of VSC, which in turn improve the periodontal condition.



Sources:

http://www.wellnessresources.com/studies/candida_and_periodontal_problems/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3134041/
http://jos.dent.nihon-u.ac.jp/isuue/177.pdf