1- What is oral dysbiosis?
2- What are the causes of dysbiosis?
3- Can it be prevented?
4- Prognosis of the disease
5- Test for oral dysbiosis
6- What treatments are available?
What is oral dysbiosis?
When the set of natural microorganisms found in the oral cavity is not in balance, dysbiosis occurs. These conditions allow bacteria to grow and reproduce, causing diseases such as caries, gingivitis and periodontitis. However, the oral microbiota also has an influence beyond the mouth, which can lead to gastric and intestinal diseases.
What are the causes of dysbiosis?
The reasons that lead to an imbalance in the oral microbiota are diverse:
– Dysfunction of the salivary glands, i.e. changes in the composition of saliva.
– Excessive consumption of sugar, alcohol and tobacco.
– Poor oral hygiene.
– Excessive administration of antibiotics.
Can it be prevented?
Taking into account the causes, there are different ways to avoid dysbiosis, but most of them respond to a change of habits in the patient’s life. In other words, the main recommendations have to do, in the first place, with avoiding the consumption of sugar, alcohol and tobacco. In this regard, the advice of professionals is usually to follow a healthy diet, with plenty of vegetables and greens.
Secondly, emphasis is placed on the importance of maintaining proper oral hygiene, which involves brushing teeth 2 or 3 times a day, flossing or using interproximal brushes periodically and having professional cleanings at least once a year.
Thirdly, it is important to avoid excessive administration of antibiotics.
Prognosis of the disease
Dysbiosis usually leads to periodontal disease. First, caries and gingivitis or inflammation of the gums appear. Secondly, if these are not treated in time, periodontitis may occur. This pathology is considered to be more serious, as it leads to the loss of teeth and is related to other diseases such as arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease and respiratory or coronary artery diseases.
Oral Dysbiosis Test
One of the most appropriate tools to determine if there is an imbalance in the oral microbiota is the Oral Dysbiosis Test. It is especially indicated for people with a tendency to present caries or periodontal diseases, halitosis, aphthous ulcers or sores.
What treatments are available for dysbiosis?
Once caries or periodontal diseases appear, which are the main signs to determine that there is an imbalance in the oral microbiota, there are multiple ways that can be adopted as treatments.
While good eating habits and oral hygiene should not be neglected, there is also the administration of probiotics, which contain strains of beneficial bacteria and yeasts, and prebiotics, which are foods rich in fiber and help regulate the balance of microorganisms.