Beyond supplements: why oral health is the overlooked pillar of wellness

As an immunologist and someone with a voice in the health and wellness innovation space, I’m often asked: What are your top five wellness essentials? People assume I’ll start with supplements. And while I absolutely believe in the power of targeted nutrition, true wellness isn’t just about what you add—it’s about balance, resilience, and how you support your body as a whole.

One of the most underrated yet foundational aspects of long-term health? Oral hygiene. 

Just as you wouldn’t skimp on high-quality nutrition, your toothbrush should be more than an afterthought. In the same way that Ancient + Brave champions functional, sustainable, and effective wellness solutions, SURI is rethinking oral care—bridging human and planetary health in a way that’s long overdue.

I see so many people investing in superfoods, adaptogens, and the latest biohacking trends while overlooking something as simple—but profoundly impactful—as their daily dental routine. The truth is, making friends with your dental hygienist is just as crucial as nourishing your body with the right foods, managing stress, and getting quality sleep. And beyond regular check-ups, a high-quality at-home oral care ritual isn’t just about oral hygiene—it’s a vital part of whole-body health, influencing everything from inflammation to cardiovascular health, longevity and more.

The Mouth: The Gateway to Whole Body Health

Your mouth is more than just where digestion begins—it’s a key interface between your body and the outside world. It is also home to a diverse and dynamic microbial ecosystem, teeming with bacteria that play a crucial role in maintaining balance. While many of these microbes are beneficial, over time we can accumulate less favourable ones, which—if left unchecked—can contribute to inflammation, infection, and chronic disease.

As the entry point to both the digestive and respiratory systems, your oral health has a direct impact on systemic health. The oral microbiome and gut microbiome are intricately linked, forming a critical axis of communication that affects everything from digestion to immune function. 

Simply put: a healthy mouth is essential for a healthy gut, and in turn, a healthy body. Neglecting oral care doesn’t just impact your teeth and gums—it can ripple through your entire system, influencing everything from cardiovascular health to cognitive function.

The Oral-Systemic Health Connection: What Science Tells Us

We often think of poor oral health and gum disease as an issue localised to the mouth—bleeding gums, bad breath, or plaque buildup. But these are actually visible signs of chronic inflammation, and inflammation doesn’t stay confined to the mouth. Instead, it acts as a persistent immune stressor, influencing systemic health in ways we may not immediately recognise.

The immune system doesn’t compartmentalise inflammation—it’s all connected. What happens in the mouth can send ripple effects throughout the body. Low-grade, chronic oral inflammation can elevate the body's overall inflammatory burden. Over time, this can accelerate age-related changes that influence everything from cardiovascular health to cognitive function and even biological ageing.

One of the lesser-known but critical roles of oral health is its connection to nitric oxide (NO) production—a molecule essential for blood vessel function, circulation and immune function. NO helps relax and widen blood vessels,  improving oxygen delivery, reducing cardiovascular strain, and supporting cognitive function. Given that cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, optimizing nitric oxide levels is a crucial strategy for long-term vascular health and longevity.

But here’s the key: The oral microbiome is essential for nitric oxide production. 

Beneficial bacteria in the mouth convert dietary nitrates (from leafy greens, beetroot, and other nitrate-rich foods) into nitric oxide. However, poor oral health, gum disease, and an imbalanced oral microbiome can disrupt this process, reducing nitric oxide availability and impacting circulation. 

This disruption is further compounded by the use of harsh mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine, which kills both harmful bacteria and the beneficial bacteria responsible for converting dietary nitrates into nitric oxide. Research suggests that regular use of antiseptic mouthwashes may reduce nitric oxide levels, leading to increased blood pressure and impaired vascular function—essentially negating the cardiovascular benefits of a nitrate-rich diet.

Additionally, nitric oxide has natural antimicrobial properties, helping to maintain a balanced oral microbiome and inhibit the growth of less favorable bacteria. It also acts as a first-line defense against bacteria and viruses, including those that cause upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs).

Brushing for Whole Body Health: Why Tools Matter

A high-performance toothbrush like SURI doesn’t just remove plaque—it actively supports a healthier oral microbiome by cleaning effectively without excessive abrasion, ensuring your gums stay strong and resilient. But what sets it apart is its commitment to sustainability without compromising performance.

Every year, over 4 billion toothbrushes end up in landfill or our oceans—enough to circle the globe twelve times. Meanwhile, most electric toothbrushes come with excessive plastic, non-recyclable components, and short lifespans that contribute to growing e-waste and environmental harm.

Re-thinking the electric toothbrush is part of re-thinking the way we consume. SURI has taken electric toothbrush design back to first principles—prioritising what matters most: exceptional oral care with minimal impact on the planet.

Oral Health: The Bigger Picture

Rather than viewing oral health in isolation, we should see it as a key player in whole-body health. Prioritise good oral hygiene—but choose oral care products that support, rather than sterilise, the oral microbiome. What does this mean in practice:

1. Prioritise effective, microbiome-friendly oral hygiene—a high-performance toothbrush like SURI supports gum and systemic health without unnecessary waste.

2. Eat nitrate-rich vegetables—leafy greens, beetroot, and citrus fruits fuel nitric oxide production, supporting circulation and cardiovascular health.

3. Ditch the harsh mouthwashes—avoid chlorhexidine-based products unless medically necessary. Instead, opt for microbiome-friendly alternatives that support, rather than sterilize, your oral ecosystem.

4. Make sustainability a core part of wellness—because personal health and planetary health are deeply interconnected.

5. Start viewing your mouth as an extension of your body—because a healthy oral microbiome supports a healthy gut, a strong immune system, and improved whole body health.

Health isn’t about a single intervention or a fancy supplement stack—it’s about the synergy of small, intentional choices that add up over time. A high-quality oral care routine and a well-nourished microbiome work together to support whole-body health, allowing you to show up as your best self each day.

By rethinking daily rituals—like how we care for our teeth—we take a step towards a healthier body and a healthier planet. So next time you reach for your toothbrush, make it a better one—for you, for your health, and for the world around you.