Eating, talking, smiling—consciously or unconsciously, so much of daily life is influenced by our oral health. And here’s one more thought to chew on: oral health affects digestive health as well.

After all, digestion doesn’t begin the moment food reaches the stomach—it begins before we swallow that very first bite. The digestive process gets its start in two ways:

“Chew your food properly.” Probably every child has heard this piece of helpful advice, because it’s hazardous to swallow large pieces of food. But there’s more to it! There’s a positive benefit for your digestive system when you keep chewing until that mouthful has been pulverized into a uniform, almost paste-like consistency.

Mastication, or chewing, is what our teeth are designed for. Incisors and canines bite through food, and molars grind and crush it, making morsels small enough to swallow. And food breaks down when we chew, creating a much larger surface area which allows the digestive enzymes in saliva, the stomach, and the small intestine to extract the nutrients from our food more efficiently.

But even though chewing food properly leads to easier digestion, dental problems can make the simple act of eating difficult and uncomfortable. Missing teeth or tooth pain can lead to swallowing food before it’s been properly broken down and softened, making it harder for your meal to make its way down the esophagus and more work to digest.

As it happens, there’s science behind the expression “mouth watering.” When we smell something tasty, or have a bite to eat, or sometimes even think about a favorite food, our saliva glands increase production—and this increase has a digestive purpose.

And there’s more! As we chew, saliva helps moisten and bind food particles into a slippery little food bundle called a bolus, so food is easier to swallow. Saliva also helps neutralize acids as we eat, and, for those who suffer from acid reflux, helps wash acids back into the stomach.

Addressing Compromised Oral Health

When your oral health is compromised, the normally smooth operation of your digestive system can suffer as well. Fortunately, you have options.

When eating is painful, or when you avoid putting pressure on a loose or sensitive tooth, you’re probably chewing more cautiously and less thoroughly. You might be dining on soft foods or liquids, avoiding chewier proteins, vitamins, and fibers on the menu.

Recurring tooth pain means it’s time to give us a call. Whether you have a cavity that needs treatment, an infection or inflammation, pain from grinding your teeth, or any problem that makes eating uncomfortable, we can provide the solutions you need to make eating enjoyable once again.

Losing one or more of your teeth has a real impact on your ability to bite and chew as easily as you should. Not only that, when you’ve lost a tooth, your other teeth and your jaw are affected.

When chewing forces are distributed unevenly because a tooth is missing from its specific spot, you can experience tooth pain and tooth movement. Tooth misalignment can change your bite and cause strain on the temporomandibular joint. And without the stimulation of biting and chewing, the bone underneath a missing tooth can shrink.

Whenever a tooth or teeth are lost, it’s important to see us right away for treatment. If a tooth needs to be extracted, it’s important to get professional care. After losing a tooth, you have several options to restore your smile, including dentures, bridges, and dental implants.

Implants are one of the most effective and long-lasting ways to restore your normal eating habits. They function like your natural teeth, and, like your natural teeth, stimulate the jaw bone as you chew to prevent the bone from shrinking over time. Talk to us if you are interested in learning more about implant procedures.

When your salivary glands can’t produce enough saliva, it leads to a condition known as xerostomia, or “dry mouth.” Less saliva means fewer enzymes at work starting the process of digestion. Saliva has many more health benefits, including washing our teeth with enamel-strengthening minerals, reducing the risk of mouth ulcers and oral thrush, and helping to neutralize acids in the mouth.

Dry mouth can become a problem as we age, or can arise because of certain medical conditions, treatments, or medications. If you’ve noticed that your saliva production is decreasing, talk to us. There are solutions, from simply chewing gum or making dietary changes, to medications and protective dental treatments for more complex cases.

The first step in healthy digestion begins with your oral health. Indigestion, gas, and bloating are the common, unappetizing side effects of poor digestion, but there’s also something else to consider. Limiting your diet to soft foods and liquids, suffering through painful meals, difficulty swallowing—these are quality of life issues as well as health issues.

If you haven’t visited our office for a while, there’s no time like the present. Restoring your oral health will lead to easier digestion, more enjoyable dining—and a very good reason to smile. Food for thought!