Sophie Fraser presents a guide for dental nurses discussing diet and gut health.

As a dental nurse, you’ll be used to talking to your patients about their oral health – but what about the rest of the body? Nothing works in isolation, and your patients’ overall health can have a direct impact on what you’re seeing in their teeth and gums.

One area that’s particularly important is gut health. The gut is lined with millions of nerve cells, which, as well as controlling digestion, communicate with the brain. If you’ve ever felt a ‘gut instinct’, then you’ve witnessed your brain and your gut communicating.

But what impact can this have on dental health, and how can you share this information with your patients?

What impact does gut health have on dental health?

The connection between the gut and the mouth has a specific name: the oral-gut axis. Experts suggest that an imbalance in the gut bacteria can lead to an increased risk of gum disease and cavities, as well as oral infections. Harmful bacteria that develop in the mouth as a result of poor dental hygiene are then swallowed, making their way into the gut, where they cause inflammation during the digestion process.

The same is true vice-versa – if your patient has a dental condition that means they don’t chew their food correctly, this can lead to them swallowing larger pieces, which can result in digestive problems. The two are intrinsically linked.

Common gut problems that impact oral health

GERD

There are several common gut problems that can cause or worsen oral conditions. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), for example, is a condition where the stomach contents rise up the oesophagus. This can lead to tooth erosion, sensitivity, and an increased risk of dental cavities, thanks to the resulting acid that enters the mouth. GERD impacts around 20 per cent of adults in the UK.

IBD

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term that encompasses both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These are long-term digestive issues, without a cure, so it can be challenging for patients to manage them and any subsequent health issues that occur as a result. Inflammatory bowel disease can cause oral problems such as sores and inflammation in the mouth and lips.

What can your patients do to improve their gut health?

Of course, if your patient has a long-term gut condition, then the best person to advise them is their doctor. However, if they’re simply seeing short-term issues inboth their gut and their mouth, then there are things they can do.

Diet is hugely important when it comes to gut health. Probiotic-rich food such as yoghurt, kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut are all famous for supporting the gut microbiome, but they can also help oral health by balancing oral bacteria, fighting plaque and increasing immunity, which allows the body to better fight off infections.

More generally, eating a balanced diet will encourage the body to work as it should – this means plenty of fruit, vegetables and fibre. Water is also essential, with the right water intake both preventing bacteria building up in the mouth and also promoting good digestion.

Of course, as a dental nurse, you’ll also want to promote good oral hygiene practices such as correct teeth brushing, using mouthwash and flossing, to avoid those harmful bacteria being passed on down the body.

How can you promote this information in the clinic?

Part of your role as a dental nurse is to promote good dental hygiene as part of a balanced lifestyle. Patients may feel self-conscious about poor hygiene, so it’s for you to make it as accessible as possible, without making them feel uncomfortable. This could be in the form of preventive care – for example providing a deep clean as an additional extra on your booking system – or by gently asking about diet where you feel it’s appropriate to do so.

Leaflets, information in the waiting room and email newsletters can also be an effective way of communicating the connection between the gut and the mouth. You may even choose to run an awareness month, or get a guest speaker in for an evening event. Ultimately, your role is to provide the information to your patients and help them towards healthy choices.

Supporting your patients to make healthy choices

As a dental nurse, you’re in a position to make a difference. As well as providing targeted advice, you can also ask how your patient is feeling more generally when they arrive for their appointment, which may give them a chance to share that they’ve been feeling under the weather, opening up the conversation to a more holistic view of health. In turn, you can then discuss why symptoms they’re seeing elsewhere in their body can impact their mouth.

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