Summary
Learn how gut health and ADHD are connected. See how probiotics help ADHD and why good dental health is key for patients with this condition.
ADHD is a common behavioral health condition that both children and adults alike can experience. For many years, the mechanisms behind it were poorly understood, but new studies are revealing important connections between gut health, dental health, ADHD, and probiotics. We discuss how probiotics help ADHD symptoms and how it all ties back to good oral hygiene.
Understanding How Gut Bacteria Affect the Brain
The human gut is home to trillions of microbes that work together to facilitate digestion, immune function, and surprisingly, brain health. But when bad bacteria is introduced to this delicate ecosystem, things can change for the worse.
According to Nutrients, a peer-reviewed medical journal dedicated to human nutrition, disruption to the balance of gut bacteria can impact the delivery of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters, or a lack thereof, can worsen cognitive symptoms and contribute to behavioral disorders like ADHD.
Understanding How Oral Bacteria Affect the Gut
Like the gut, the mouth also has its own microbiome. While these are technically separate, they can influence one another via the esophagus that connects them. For example, an overgrowth of bad bacteria in the gut can cause an influx of oral bacteria and vice versa.
People with ADHD often have difficulty maintaining good oral hygiene due to forgetfulness and difficulty keeping a routine. However, poor hygiene can lead to gum disease and cavities, which in turn can cause you to ingest bacteria every time you swallow. When these bacteria reach the gut and impede the release of neurotransmitters, ADHD symptoms may increase.
How Probiotics Help the Gut, Mouth, and Brain
You may have heard the term “probiotics.” These are good bacteria that you take as a dietary supplement to help restore a healthy microbial balance in your body. While ADHD treatment typically includes prescription medication and behavioral therapy, emerging research suggests that taking probiotics may also help.
Probiotics work by “eating” bad bacteria and restoring the balance of healthy bacteria in the gut. This supports immune function, regulates neurotransmitter release, and reduces systemic inflammation. In patients with ADHD, this can lead to fewer disruptive symptoms on a day-to-day basis.
Where to Get Probiotics and How to Take Them
Probiotics are readily available at most grocery stores and vitamin retailers. When shopping for a product, it’s a good idea to look for multiple strains of bacteria since not all good bacteria eat all bad bacteria. The more individual strains of beneficial bacteria you have in your probiotic, the more bad bacteria you can eliminate.
You should also introduce probiotics into your diet gradually and make sure you take them consistently. When combined with a gut-friendly diet full of fiber-rich foods, you can achieve optimal results. Over time, you may notice an improvement in ADHD-related symptoms like low attention span and poor emotional regulation.
Other Things You Can Do
While probiotics offer promising benefits for managing ADHD symptoms, they are most effective when included in a broad scope of holistic treatments. ADHD is a complex condition with multiple neurological, environmental, and behavioral components to consider, so it’s ideal to use a multifaceted approach.
Other things you can do to reduce unwanted symptoms include regular physical activity, behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and sleep hygiene. It’s also crucial not to overlook routine dental care. Since oral, gut, and brain health are so deeply intertwined, annual dental exams and cleanings play a crucial part in managing conditions like ADHD.
Read More
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How ADHD Is Related to Your Mouth (Video)
Get Holistic Dental Care You Can Trust at Green Dentistry
Dr. Namrata Patel and the team at Green Dentistry understand how important your oral health is to your overall wellness. That’s why we take a holistic approach that looks at the function of your whole body, not just your teeth or mouth. Whether you’re managing ADHD or another condition, we can help you achieve optimal health with gentle, science-backed holistic dental care. Contact us today to schedule an appointment at (415) 657-8602.
