Oral Health & Red Light Therapy

Did you know that the oral cavity has the second largest and most diverse microbiota after the gut, harboring over 700 species of bacteria? The progression of health or regression toward disease is critically influenced by the microbiota. In addition to being the initiation point of digestion, the oral microbiome is crucial in maintaining both oral and systemic health.

 

The oral microbiome rests within biofilms throughout the oral cavity and forms an ecosystem that maintains health in a state of homeostasis. However, particular imbalances in this state of equilibrium allow pathogens to develop and cause disease. This disruption of the oral microbiome leads to dysbiosis, which is an imbalance in the microbial community that is associated with a myriad of diseases -- most of which show up in various organs and systems throughout our entire body!

In this episode, you will be learning about the multitude of negative downstream health effects of a dysbiotic oral cavity and why more of your health and wellness begins in your mouth than you may have previously thought. We will also go through the photobiomodulation research on oral health, where you will see that there are countless ways that red light therapy can help optimize your oral hygiene and oral "vigor." Lastly, you will hear about the newest piece of red light therapy technology that was developed specifically for the mouth and oral health.

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Dr. Mike Belkowski talks about the following:

• An innovative way to use red light therapy for oral health
• How the oral biome impacts a multitude of health systems
• How connected your oral health is to gut health
• 70% or more of the immune system is located in the gut; however, immunity begins in the mouth
• Cardiovascular health
• A link between bacteria that causes both gum disease and Alzheimer's in the brain
• The direct correlation between poor dental health, tooth pain, bleeding gums, and anxiety/ depression
• The endocrine system
• Obesity and its link to the oral microbiome
• Nitric oxide production, how it supports the body’s natural repair processes, and how red light therapy helps with it
• Diets that support the gut microbiome
• More electrons = less inflammation; ways to get free electrons
• Factors that affect the oral microbiome such as how you were born
• Photobiomodulation research as it relates to oral health (see works cited below)
• How the power of light reduces pain, improves quality of life, and improves functionality
• Low level laser therapy (LLLT) and how it is an effective treatment for canker sores, oral health, and more
• The Guardian - BioLight’s newest red light therapy product that improves oral health

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The Guardian is the first red light therapy oral care device of its kind, with patent-pending technology that implements dual LEDs, giving you the healing power from both red and near-infrared (NIR) light!

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To learn even more about how you can improve your health via your oral microbiome, check out The Dental Diet, by Dr. Steven Lin or Heal Your Oral Microbiome, by Cass Nelson-Dooley.

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Pre-order The Guardian here!

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Listen to the Dr. Kelly Blodgett episode on oral health here

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Works Cited

 

Cronshaw, Mark et al. “Photobiomodulation and Oral Mucositis: A Systematic Review.” Dentistry journal vol. 8,3 87. 5 Aug. 2020, doi:10.3390/dj8030087

Uslu MÖ, Akgül S. Evaluation of the effects of photobiomodulation therapy and ozone applications after gingivectomy and gingivoplasty on postoperative pain and patients' oral health-related quality of life. Lasers Med Sci. 2020;35(7):1637-1647. doi:10.1007/s10103-020-03037-8

Mikami, R., Mizutani, K., Sasaki, Y., Iwata, T., & Aoki, A. (2020). Patient-reported outcomes of laser-assisted pain control following non-surgical and surgical periodontal therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One, 15(9) doi:http://dx.doi.org.weblib.lib.umt.edu:8080/10.1371/journal.pone.0238659

Zhao, H., Hu, J. & Zhao, L. The effect of low-level laser therapy as an adjunct to periodontal surgery in the management of postoperative pain and wound healing: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lasers Med Sci 36, 175–187 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-020-03072-5

Hanna R, Dalvi S, Bensadoun RJ, Benedicenti S. Role of Photobiomodulation Therapy in Modulating Oxidative Stress in Temporomandibular Disorders. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Human Randomised Controlled Trials. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021;10(7):1028. Published 2021 Jun 25. doi:10.3390/antiox10071028

Zadik Y, Arany PR, Fregnani ER, et al. Systematic review of photobiomodulation for the management of oral mucositis in cancer patients and clinical practice guidelines. Support Care Cancer. 2019;27(10):3969-3983. doi:10.1007/s00520-019-04890-2

Pesevska, S., Nakova, M., Ivanovski, K., Angelov, N., Kesic, L., Obradovic, R., … Nares, S. (2009). Dentinal hypersensitivity following scaling and root planing: comparison of low-level laser and topical fluoride treatment. Lasers in Medical Science, 25(5), 647–650. doi:10.1007/s10103-009-0685-0

 de-Melo, M. A. S., Passos, V. F., Alves, J. J., Barros, E. B., Santiago, S. L., & Rodrigues, L. K. A. (2010). The effect of diode laser irradiation on dentin as a preventive measure against dental erosion: an in vitro study. Lasers in Medical Science, 26(5), 615–621.doi:10.1007/s10103-010-0865-y 

 Aggarwal H, Singh MP, Nahar P, Mathur H, Gv S. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcers - a sham controlled, split mouth follow up study. J Clin Diagn Res. 2014;8(2):218–221. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2014/7639.4064

 Imani, M., Golshah, A., SafariFaramani, R., & Sadeghi, M. (2018). Effect of Low-level Laser Therapy on Orthodontic Movement of Human Canine: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Acta Informatica Medica, 26(2), 139. doi:10.5455/aim.2018.26.139-143 

Rios, A., He, J., Glickman, G. N., Spears, R., Schneiderman, E. D., & Honeyman, A. L. (2011). Evaluation of Photodynamic Therapy Using a Light-emitting Diode Lamp against Enterococcus faecalis in Extracted Human Teeth. Journal of Endodontics, 37(6), 856–859.doi:10.1016/j.joen.2011.03.014 

Basso, F. G., Oliveira, C. F., Fontana, A., Kurachi, C., Bagnato, V. S., Spolidório, D. M. P., … Costa, C. A. de S. (2011). In Vitro effect of low-level laser therapy on typical oral microbial biofilms. Brazilian Dental Journal, 22(6), 502–510. doi:10.1590/s0103-64402011000600011

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Don't forget to check out these health-related recommendations from previous podcast guests!

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To learn more about red light therapy and shop for the highest-quality red light therapy products, visit www.biolight.shop

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