SIBO & Oral-Gut Axis
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is increasingly understood as part of the oral-gut microbiome continuum. Oral bacteria swallowed daily can colonize the small intestine when stomach acid or motility is impaired. SIBO patients show distinct oral microbiome signatures, and addressing oral dysbiosis is emerging as part of comprehensive SIBO care.
The Connection
Reduced stomach acid (often from PPI use), impaired motility, and oral dysbiosis combine to allow oral bacteria to overgrow in the small intestine. Treating only the gut without addressing the oral source explains many SIBO recurrences.
Why Coordination Matters
Functional medicine and gastroenterology should add oral assessment to SIBO workup, and dentists treating chronic periodontitis should ask about chronic bloating and food intolerance.
What to Watch For
- Bloating after meals plus gum bleeding
- Recurrent SIBO despite treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Can mouth bacteria cause SIBO?
Oral bacteria swallowed daily can colonize the small intestine when acid or motility defenses are impaired. Treating oral dysbiosis is increasingly viewed as part of preventing SIBO relapse.