CARBS, SUGARY FOODS MAY INFLUENCE POOR ORAL HEALTH The foods we eat on a regular basis influence the makeup of the bacteria - both good and bad - in our mouths. And researchers are finding that this collective of bacteria known as the oral microbiome likely plays a large role in our overall health, in addition to its previously known associations with tooth decay and periodontal disease. Scientists from the University at Buffalo have shown how eating certain types of foods impacts the oral microbiome of postmenopausal women. They found that higher intake of sugary and high glycemic load foods-like doughnuts and other baked goods, soft drinks, breads and non-fat yogurts - may influence poor oral health and, perhaps, systemic health outcomes in older women due to the influence these foods have on the oral microbiome. In the study, researchers investigated whether carbohydrates and sucrose, or table sugar, were associated with the diversity and composition of oral bacteria in a sample of 1,204 postmenopausal women using data from the Women's Health Initiative. The research team reported positive associations between total carbohydrates, glycemic load and sucrose and Streptococcus mutans, a contributor to tooth decay and some types of cardiovascular disease, a finding that confirms previous observations. But they also observed associations between carbohydrates and the oral microbiome that are not as well established. The researchers observed Leptotrichia spp., which has been associated with gingivitis, a common gum disease, in some studies, to be positively associated with sugar intake. The other bacteria they identified as associated with carbohydrate intake or glycemic load have not been previously appreciated as contributing to periodontal disease in the literature or in this cohort of women. SM-CL2 Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554 CARBS , SUGARY FOODS MAY INFLUENCE POOR ORAL HEALTH The foods we eat on a regular basis influence the makeup of the bacteria - both good and bad - in our mouths . And researchers are finding that this collective of bacteria known as the oral microbiome likely plays a large role in our overall health , in addition to its previously known associations with tooth decay and periodontal disease . Scientists from the University at Buffalo have shown how eating certain types of foods impacts the oral microbiome of postmenopausal women . They found that higher intake of sugary and high glycemic load foods - like doughnuts and other baked goods , soft drinks , breads and non - fat yogurts - may influence poor oral health and , perhaps , systemic health outcomes in older women due to the influence these foods have on the oral microbiome . In the study , researchers investigated whether carbohydrates and sucrose , or table sugar , were associated with the diversity and composition of oral bacteria in a sample of 1,204 postmenopausal women using data from the Women's Health Initiative . The research team reported positive associations between total carbohydrates , glycemic load and sucrose and Streptococcus mutans , a contributor to tooth decay and some types of cardiovascular disease , a finding that confirms previous observations . But they also observed associations between carbohydrates and the oral microbiome that are not as well established . The researchers observed Leptotrichia spp . , which has been associated with gingivitis , a common gum disease , in some studies , to be positively associated with sugar intake . The other bacteria they identified as associated with carbohydrate intake or glycemic load have not been previously appreciated as contributing to periodontal disease in the literature or in this cohort of women . SM - CL2 Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave. , Suite 130 , Downers Grove , IL 60515 630-663-0554