Oral hygiene is not just about keeping your teeth healthy; oral bacteria have also been linked to colorectal cancer. How do oral bacteria enter the gut? Can mouthwash help? Shao-Hung Wang, a Taiwanese microbiology expert, discussed the relationship between oral bacteria, gut health, and cardiovascular diseases on the Epoch Times’ “Health 1+1” program and outlined methods for maintaining good oral hygiene. Interestingly, certain microorganisms develop acid resistance as they pass through the esophagus into the stomach, enabling them to adhere to the stomach lining.
Some bacteria, such as Lactobacillus reuteri, even possess a specialized outer coating for protection. Additionally, while a person eats, stomach acid can dilute from pH 1 or 2 to around pH 5, allowing bacteria to potentially evade the acidic environment. Mr.
Wang further explained that oral bacteria can contribute to periodontitis. Inflammatory substances and bacteria can enter the bloodstream through gum wounds or gastrointestinal mucosal lesions. When these substances reach the liver, they trigger the release of more acute phase response proteins, including zymogens like prothrombin, which are involved in blood clotting.
As prothrombin travels through the bloodstream, it can cause blood clots if it encounters areas with cholesterol buildup or inflammation in the blood vessels, thus resulting in symptoms associated with coronary heart disease. He emphasized that the key to oral hygiene is not necessarily kil.