The Modern Weak Mouth: How To Fix It

The Modern Mouth Sore

The deterioration of oral health in modern societies is alarmingly pervasive, with tooth decay and gum disease afflicting a significant portion of the industrialized population. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, in U.S. adults:

  • Tooth decay affects
    • 82% of adults aged 20–34 years
    • 92% of adults aged 35–49 years
    • 96% of adults aged 50–64 years
  • The average number of decayed, missing, or filled teeth in a person’s mouth is
    • 6.7 for adults aged 20–34 years
    • 9.4 for adults aged 35–49 years
    • 12.7 for adults aged 50–64 years

Pause for a moment. Even if you accept that dental health tends to decline with age (which it shouldn’t, but we’ll get to that later), roughly 4 in every 5 young adults have had tooth decay affecting an average of nearly 7 teeth, with things only getting worse with age. That’s insane!

Things aren’t much better for kids. Just over 50% of children aged 6–11 years old and adolescents aged 12–19 years old have cavities.

And 42% of adults aged over 30 years old have some degree of gum disease.

All this despite billions of dollars invested into dental technology and health supplies. The global dental industry market was valued at over $34 billion in 2022. On top of that, oral conditions are the fourth most expensive to treat. In the US alone, $110 billion are spent yearly on oral healthcare.

Toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, braces, lasers, fillings, x-rays, and more. We have invented so many incredible tools and processes for creating healthy teeth and gums; yet, people are suffering.

It’s not as if these things don’t work. A meta-analysis of 33 studies found that brushing at least once per day reduced the odds of having a cavity by 36%, while a Cochrane systematic review of 35 randomized controlled trials reported that flossing reduces the extent of gingivitis by 42%.

Now, obviously not everyone does “everything” that dentists recommend for healthy teeth and gums, but when 90% of adults and 50% of children have tooth decay, there must be something else going on. With all this technology, people have forgotten the powerful and necessary function of diet for building a beautiful smile.

Chewing on Ancient Wisdom

The modern atrocity of dental health starkly contrasts with that observed in indigenous populations by Weston A. Price in the early 20th century. Price was a pioneering dentist and researcher, disturbed by the commonality of tooth decay, crowding, crookedness, and other facial deformities (overbites, narrowed faces, etc.).

Yet, rather than take the conventional medical approach of analyzing the degeneration to come up with solutions, he chose to travel the world for 10 years in search of populations who were largely free from these afflictions. He found such exemplary populations in remote corners of the globe, untouched by western dietary influences.

  • The Swiss of Switzerland
  • The Gaelics in the Outer and Inner Hebrides
  • The Eskimos of Alaska
  • The Indians in the far North, West and Central Canada, Western United States and Florida
  • The Melanesians and Polynesians on eight archipelagos of the Southern Pacific
  • Tribes in eastern and central Africa
  • The Aborigines of Australia
  • Malay tribes on islands north of Australia
  • The Maori of New Zealand
  • The ancient civilizations and their descendants in Peru both along the coast and in the Sierras, also in the Amazon Basin.

His findings, meticulously documented in his landmark work, Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, reveal a compelling correlation between traditional "nose to tail" eating practices and the remarkable oral health of these indigenous people. The issue, he determined, wasn’t what people were eating, but what they weren’t.

After spending several years approaching this problem by both clinical and laboratory research methods, I interpreted the accumulating evidence as strongly indicating the absence of some essential factors from our modern program, rather than the presence of injurious factors.

Price determined that the indigenous diets successful in controlling cavities and deformities could be divided into three groups based upon where the people derived most of their minerals and fat-soluble activators (now known to be fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and K2).

  1. Dairy products
  2. Organs of animals
  3. Seafoods

Most of the indigenous tribes used foods from two or more of the three categories. While most groups also consumed a variety of plant foods, mainly fruits and tubers, good dental health (and physical health in general) relied mostly on the consumption of animal products.

It is significant that I have as yet found no group that was building and maintaining good bodies exclusively on plant foods. A number of groups are endeavoring to do so with marked evidence of failure. The variety of animal foods available has varied widely in some groups, and been limited among others.

So, what did these indigenous people actually eat? Price not only documented the diets of the tribes he visited, he did us the service of summarizing their diets for easy mental digestion. He also made some keen and nearly unbelievable observations about their oral health.

The people in the Swiss Alpine valleys ate mostly rye bread and dairy products, with meat about once a week. Yet, the milk was exceptionally high in nutrition, much more than the average throughout the world, due to the animals feeding on green pasture and stored green hay.

In each one hundred teeth examined 5.2 were found to have been attacked at some time by tooth decay… In a study of 4,280 teeth of the children of these high valleys, only 3.4 per cent were found to have been attacked by tooth decay.

The Gaelics in the Hebrides ate mostly oat products and seafood, with liberal use of fish livers. One special dish, especially for children, is baked cod’s head stuff with oatmeal and chopped cod livers.

An examination of the growing boys and girls disclosed the fact that only one tooth out of every hundred examined had ever been attacked by tooth decay… I examined teeth of several people in the seventies and eighties, and except for gingival infections with some loosening of the teeth, nearly all of the teeth were present and there was very little evidence that dental caries had ever existed.

The Eskimos of Alaska ate mostly select organs and other special tissues of large sea animals, as well as fish. Seal oil was used freely and seal meat was commonly available. They were particularly careful to include select tissues from various animals, such as the inner layer of skin from one whale species that was shown to be exceptionally high in vitamin C. Fish eggs were also a regular and valued part of the diet, especially for children.

Of these eighty-eight individuals, twenty-seven with 796 teeth had lived almost exclusively on natural foods, and in this group only one tooth was found with dental caries, or 0.1 per cent. Forty individuals were living almost exclusively on modern foods as shipped in by the government supply boat. Of their 1,094 teeth, 252, or 21.1 per cent, had been attacked by tooth decay.

The Native Americans ate mostly wild game, chiefly moose and caribou, with a particular focus on the organ tissues — much of the muscle meat was fed to dogs. Even the animal bones were cracked open to obtain as much bone marrow as possible.

In an examination of eighty-seven individuals having 2,464 teeth only four teeth were found that had ever been attacked by dental caries. This is equivalent to 0.16 per cent. As we came back to civilization and studied, successively, different groups with increasing amounts of contact with modern civilization, we found dental caries increased progressively, reaching 25.5 per cent of all of the teeth examined at Telegraph Creek, the point of contact with the white man's foods.

The Melanesians and Polynesians of Australian archipelagos ate mostly shellfish, fish, tubers, and fruits. Taro was especially common, being cooked, dried into a powder, mixed with water, and allowed to ferment before being eaten much like mashed potatoes.

For [New Caledonia Melanesians] living almost exclusively on the native foods the incidence of dental caries was only 0.14 per cent; while for those using trade foods the incidence of dental caries was 26 per cent… The incidence of tooth decay [in Polynesians] varied from 0.6 per cent for the most isolated groups to 33.4 per cent for the modernized groups.

The native tribes in eastern and central Africa ate mostly sweet potatoes and beans, with animal products depending on availability. Those near freshwater streams and lakes ate large amounts of fish; others domesticated goats and cattle; others relied on wild game. Many also made use of insects when available — various winged insects around lakes, ants, and locusts were all gathered in large quantities and cooked for immediate use or dried and ground into a flour.

In the Masai tribe, a study of 2,516 teeth in eighty-eight individuals distributed through several widely separated manyatas showed only four individuals with caries. These had a total of ten carious teeth, or only 0.4 per cent of the teeth attacked by tooth decay.

The Aborigines of Australia ate mostly wild game, particularly wallaby, kangaroo, small animals, and rodents. No part was left uneaten.

For the thirteen raised in the Bush, not a single tooth of their 364 teeth had ever been attacked by tooth decay and not a single individual had deformed dental arches. In contrast with this, of the five raised in the mission, 19.3 per cent of their 140 teeth had been attacked by tooth decay and 40 per cent of these individuals had abnormal dental arches.

The Malay tribes on islands north of Australia ate mostly seafood, tubers, and fruits. Shellfish was especially common, with some of the largest shellfish in the world living here, so much so that the shells were kept for water storage and use as bathtubs. Small fish swimming among the reefs and dugong were also prized eateries.

Badu Island had had the store for the longest period, namely twenty-three years. Of the 586 teeth of twenty individuals examined, 20.6 per cent had been attacked by tooth decay… On Murray Island where a store had recently been established, of the 1,074 teeth examined for 39 individuals, only 0.7 per cent of the teeth had been attacked by tooth decay.

The Maori of New Zealand ate mostly seafood and mutton bird, along with wild vegetables and fruits. Shellfish were particularly favored, and children would catch lobster at lunchtime during school to be immediately roasted over beach coals and completely devoured.

The fact that they were able to maintain an immunity to dental caries so high that only one tooth in two thousand had been attacked by tooth decay (which is probably as high a degree of immunity as that of any contemporary race) is a strong argument in favor of their plan of life.

The Peruvians along the coast, in the Sierras, and in the Amazon Basin ate mostly fish from streams, animal life from the forest, birds and their eggs, fruits, and yucca root (similar to potatoes).

In a study of 1,276 skulls of these ancient Peruvians, I did not find a single skull with significant deformity of the dental arches… The author of "Bird Islands of Peru" (1) states that in his examination of fifty mummies in succession he found only four with a tooth with dental caries.

Price's research underscores the nutritional richness of traditional diets, which were replete with vitamins, minerals, and other bioavailable nutrients essential for oral health, largely derived from the consumption of animal organs, bone marrow, seafood, dairy, and animal parts often discarded in modern cuisine.

From an evolutionary perspective, the human diet has undergone significant transformations, with the agricultural and industrial revolutions introducing processed foods and refined sugars that were absent in the diets of our hunter-gatherer ancestors. As Price noted, wherever traditional foods were displaced by modern ones, the teeth and gums (and physical structure) of the indigenous peoples suffered.

Our physiological systems, including our teeth and gums, evolved to thrive on the complex nutritional profiles provided by a diverse "nose to tail" diet. Our ancestors knew this. Modern indigenous tribes people know this. Yet, such wisdom is lost on the Western man.

Another critical observation that Price made was the conditions that food was produced. In his analyses of the foods being eaten by indigenous humans, the nutrient content was upwards of 10-fold higher than that found in modern society, and this was entirely due to what those animals were feeding on.

Still another problem confronts us, i.e., the sources of fat soluble activators indicated above, namely: dairy products, organs of animals and sea foods, may vary through a wide range in their content of the fat-soluble activators or vitamins, depending upon the nutrition available for the animals.

Dairy, eggs, organs, and the flesh of animals (including seafoods) are all richest in nutrients when the animals supplying such sustenance are allowed to exist in the natural environment from which it evolved. This means wide open pastures rich in the grasses, flowers, bugs, worms, seeds, and grains that livestock animals thrive on. It also means soil dense in the minerals and microbes these plants need themselves to thrive.

Our ancestors were strong, healthy, and happy, nourishing their bodies with nutrient-rich animal organs for optimal dental health. But the modern diet can fail to give us the nutrients we need for healthy teeth and gums. So, I started Strong Jaw to put back what the modern world left out, and provide you with the nutrient dense organs our bodies inherently crave — from animals raised on open pasture, grass-fed and finished, in New Zealand and Australia.

Price ends his book with a beautiful poem by Elizabeth Odell, expressing the spirits of the indigenous people that we should aim to emulate.

Flat outstretched upon a mound

Of earth I lie; I press my ear

Against its surface and I hear

Far off and deep, the measured sound

Of heart that beats within the ground.

And with it pounds in harmony

The swift, familiar heart in me.

They pulse as one, together swell,

Together fall; I cannot tell

My sound from earth's, for I am part

Of rhythmic, universal heart.

We must return to nature. We are one with it.

A Closer Look at Dental Nutrients

Although we must return to our ancestral roots for optimal dental health, modernity has blessed us with a better understanding of why certain dietary practices are so effective. Our forebears instinctively knew the importance of a holistic approach to nutrition, one that respected the full spectrum of nature's bounty. Today, scientific research has illuminated the precise mechanisms through which specific foods and nutrients contribute to the development of a strong jaw, healthy gums, and a radiant smile.

This confluence of ancient wisdom and contemporary science offers us a unique opportunity to reclaim our dental health through informed choices. By incorporating foods such as liver, bone marrow, and fish eggs into our diet, while also ensuring adequate intake of nutrients like vitamin D and magnesium, we align ourselves with an evolutionary heritage that is not only conducive to oral health but also to our overall wellbeing.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a cornerstone nutrient for maintaining optimal oral health, exerting a profound influence on various biological processes crucial for healthy teeth and gums — from enhancing calcium metabolism to bolstering the body's defenses against infections that can harm the gums and teeth.

At the heart of Vitamin D's benefits is its vital role in calcium metabolism, a process necessary for the development and maintenance of strong teeth. Teeth are mineralized organs surrounded by bone tissue and formed by three distinctive hard tissues: enamel, dentin, and cementum. The tooth mineralization process occurs parallel to mineralization of your skeleton, yet if mineral metabolism is disturbed then failures will occur similarly to those that occur in bone tissue.

Vitamin D deficiency causes “rachitic tooth”, a defective and fragile tooth resulting from poor mineralization, similar to rickets for bone tissue. By facilitating the intestinal absorption of calcium, Vitamin D ensures that sufficient calcium is available in the bloodstream for the remineralization of teeth. This process is essential not only for the growth of new dental tissue but also for the repair of existing teeth, making Vitamin D crucial for combating tooth decay and preserving the structural integrity of teeth over a lifetime.

Vitamin D also possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties. These properties are particularly beneficial for gum health, as inflammation is a key factor in the development and progression of periodontal disease. By modulating the body's immune response, Vitamin D helps to reduce unnecessary inflammation, thereby protecting the gums from swelling, redness, and the breakdown of tissue that characterizes gum disease.

Moreover, Vitamin D's ability to enhance the immune system's efficiency plays a critical role in warding off the microbial invaders responsible for periodontal diseases and oral cancers. This nutrient aids in the production of antimicrobial peptides, which serve as the body's natural antibiotics to combat bacteria that threaten oral health. Vitamin D is also present in saliva, where it exerts powerful antimicrobial action against cavity-causing bacteria and stimulates the remineralization of damaged enamel.

Research has consistently shown that adequate levels of Vitamin D are linked to lower rates of tooth decay (in children too) and gum disease. This correlation highlights the nutrient's essential role in oral health maintenance. Individuals with sufficient Vitamin D levels tend to have fewer dental cavities and a reduced incidence of periodontal disease, underscoring the importance of ensuring adequate intake of this vitamin for anyone looking to preserve their oral health.

From an evolutionary perspective, it's likely that we evolved with vitamin D concentrations similar to indigenous tribes in Africa: 25–68 ng/mL, with an average of ~45 ng/mL. These values line up well with recommendations from the Endocrine Society, who argue that less than 20 ng/mL is a deficiency, 20–29 ng/mL is an insufficiency, and more than 30 ng/mL is the goal (sufficiency). They also state that most adults require at least 1500 IU to achieve sufficiency.

Magnesium

Magnesium stands as an unsung hero in the realm of oral health, wielding a multifaceted influence that spans from the molecular intricacies of mineral transport to the broader aspects of bone and tooth integrity. Its role, often synergistic with that of calcium, is pivotal in fostering an environment conducive to strong, healthy teeth and resilient gums.

Magnesium is required for over 300 enzymes to function properly (e.g., muscle contractions, blood vessel regulation, insulin signaling, the synthesis of DNA and proteins, and nerve transmission all require magnesium). One of the enzymes that relies on magnesium is ATP synthase, which is responsible for generating cellular energy within mitochondria. Without magnesium, your mitochondria simply can’t function efficiently, which plays a central role in the development and progression of gum disease.

There’s also a significant role of inflammation in gum disease, which leads to a host of complications, including gum recession, tooth loss, and increased susceptibility to bacterial infection. Magnesium insufficiency is a well-established cause of heightened inflammation, and supplementation reduces a variety of inflammatory biomarkers.

Collectively, magnesium's ability to mitigate inflammation and support mitochondrial function reduces the risk of gum disease and its associated ailments. This mineral helps maintain the delicate balance necessary for gum health, ensuring that the tissues supporting our teeth remain robust and free from the chronic inflammation that can precipitate periodontal disease.

Central to magnesium's benefits is its critical function in the fortification of tooth enamel, the hard, protective outer layer of teeth. This mineral works in harmony with calcium to strengthen enamel, thereby providing a robust defense against the onslaught of cavities. Magnesium's contribution to enamel integrity is not merely about prevention; it is also about repair. It plays a crucial role in the active transport of calcium ions across cell membranes, a process essential for the remineralization of teeth. This dynamic action allows for the constant repair and maintenance of teeth, counteracting the daily wear and tear that can lead to decay.

Beyond its contributions to tooth structure, magnesium is integral to the health of the periodontal ligament. This fibrous connective tissue is what anchors teeth to the jawbone, ensuring their stability and alignment. By supporting the structural health of this ligament, magnesium aids in preserving the tooth's position within the jaw, thereby maintaining the overall integrity of one's bite and the effectiveness of chewing.

Liver

Liver, often hailed as nature's multivitamin, stands out as a superfood with unparalleled nutritional density, particularly beneficial for oral health. This organ meat, integral to traditional diets across cultures, packs a potent combination of nutrients essential for maintaining the health of teeth and gums.

If you pop open any food-nutrient database you’ll quickly see why liver is a multivitamin in food form — rich in B vitamins, choline, vitamin A, vitamin K2, copper, iron, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc. That’s good because 33–58% of adults have at least one biochemical vitamin or mineral deficiency.

One of the most significant contributions of liver to dental health is its high vitamin A content, in the form of bioavailable and bioactive retinol. Vitamin A is crucial for the maintenance of mucous membranes and the production of saliva, which helps protect teeth from decay by washing away bacteria and food particles. Furthermore, it plays a vital role in promoting the healing of gum tissue, thereby supporting the body's natural repair mechanisms in combating gum disease and maintaining gum health.

Moreover, liver is rich in vitamin K2, a nutrient that works in tandem with vitamin D to regulate the deposition of calcium in the bones and teeth. Vitamin K2 activates proteins that bind calcium, thereby preventing calcification of soft tissues and directing calcium into the bone matrix and dental enamel. This mechanism is vital for the prevention of cavities and the maintenance of healthy teeth.

Liver is an excellent source of the entire B-vitamin complex, including cobalamin (B12), niacin (B3), riboflavin (B2), and folate (B9), each playing unique roles in maintaining oral health. Riboflavin is important for maintaining the mucous membranes of the mouth; niacin plays a role in DNA repair and the maintenance of healthy skin and mucous membranes; folate and B12 are necessary for proper gum integrity and repair.

Beyond these vitamins, liver provides a substantial amount of high-quality protein and iron, both of which are essential for overall health and, by extension, oral health. Protein supports the repair and regeneration of tissues, including those in the mouth, while iron is critical for preventing anemia, which can manifest in the oral cavity as glossitis (inflamed tongue) and increased susceptibility to infections.

Bone and Marrow

Bone marrow, a traditional food prized for its rich flavor and nutritional profile, holds significant benefits for oral health, much like liver. Consumed by our ancestors and revered in many cultures for its health-promoting properties, bone marrow is a source of essential nutrients that play a crucial role in maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

One of the key attributes of bone marrow is its rich content of collagen, the protein that forms the building block of our bones, teeth, and connective tissues, including the gums. Collagen not only helps in the formation and maintenance of the periodontal ligament, the connective tissue that anchors teeth to the jawbone, but also supports the regeneration of gum tissue, promoting healing and preventing gum recession. The presence of collagen, along with other proteins in bone marrow, contributes to the structural integrity of teeth and the overall health of the mouth.

Additionally, bone marrow contains a spectrum of fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, and K2, which are vital for oral health. Vitamin A supports the health of mucous membranes and saliva production, vitamin D enhances calcium absorption and bone mineralization, and vitamin K2 plays a role in directing calcium to where it is needed most in the body, including the teeth.

The bone surrounding the marrow provides a variety of minerals essential for dental health, such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Calcium and phosphorus are crucial for the mineralization and strength of teeth, playing a direct role in the prevention of cavities and tooth decay. Magnesium, on the other hand, works synergistically with calcium to ensure the proper formation and maintenance of dental enamel and supports the structural health of teeth. These minerals are integral to maintaining tooth integrity and overall oral health.

Notably, these minerals are supplied by microcrystalline hydroxyapatite, which is the form of calcium in bone and teeth. Ingesting hydroxyapatite is more effective than regular calcium supplements for improving bone growth and thickness. While it is unknown if such effects persist to teeth, there is no downside to using this form of calcium over other forms.

Fish Eggs

Fish eggs, also known as roe, are a delicacy in many cultures around the world, celebrated not only for their unique flavor but also for their impressive nutritional profile that offers numerous benefits for oral health. Rich in essential nutrients, fish eggs embody a concentrated source of vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which play significant roles in maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

One of the standout features of fish eggs is their high content of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA. These fatty acids are renowned for their anti-inflammatory properties, which are crucial for combating gum inflammation and periodontal diseases. By reducing inflammation in the gums, omega-3s from fish eggs can help prevent and manage conditions like gingivitis and periodontitis, contributing to overall gum health and stability.

Additionally, fish eggs are an excellent source of vitamin D, a nutrient essential for calcium absorption and bone mineralization. Vitamin D from fish eggs enhances the body's ability to absorb and utilize calcium, a mineral vital for the development and maintenance of strong teeth. This process is integral to preventing tooth decay and ensuring the structural integrity of the dental framework.

Fish eggs also boast a rich supply of vitamin A, which is important for maintaining the mucous membranes in the mouth and promoting saliva production. Saliva plays a key role in neutralizing acids produced by bacteria, thus protecting the teeth from decay. Moreover, vitamin A supports the healing of gum tissue, further underscoring the importance of fish eggs in oral health maintenance.

Moreover, fish eggs provide a variety of B vitamins, including B12, niacin, and riboflavin, which contribute to the health of the oral cavity. These vitamins are involved in cell repair and maintenance, supporting the health of the mouth's lining and preventing issues such as mouth sores and inflammation.

The mineral content in fish eggs, including iodine, selenium, and zinc, further contributes to their oral health benefits. Selenium and zinc, for instance, play roles in antioxidant defense and immune function, respectively, offering protection against oral infections and diseases. Iodine is critical for thyroid function, which in turn can influence oral health through its effects on saliva production and overall metabolic health.

Tracheal Cartilage

Tracheal cartilage holds unique benefits for oral health due to its distinctive composition. Rich in type II collagen, chondroitin sulfate, and glucosamine, tracheal cartilage offers specific nutrients that support the health and resilience of the gums and the connective tissues within the mouth.

Type II collagen, the main protein found in tracheal cartilage, is essential for the maintenance and repair of the soft tissues in the mouth, including the gums. Collagen provides the structural framework for these tissues, promoting their strength and elasticity. This is particularly important for gum health, as strong and resilient gums are crucial for supporting the teeth and preventing periodontal diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontitis. The presence of Type II collagen in tracheal cartilage can aid in the regeneration of gum tissue, potentially reversing the effects of gum recession and contributing to a healthier oral environment.

Chondroitin sulfate, another key component of tracheal cartilage, works synergistically with collagen to support the health of connective tissues. Inflamed gums leak more chondroitin sulfate than healthy gums, reducing their structural integrity. Chondroitin has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties, which can be beneficial in reducing gum inflammation and the discomfort associated with gum disease. By mitigating inflammation and restoring normal chondroitin levels, it can help to maintain healthy gum tissue and supports the body's natural healing processes.

Glucosamine, also found in tracheal cartilage, contributes to the health of the gums by supporting the regeneration of cartilage and other connective tissues. Like chondroitin, glucosamine has anti-inflammatory effects, which can alleviate symptoms of gum disease and contribute to the overall health of the oral cavity. Furthermore, glucosamine plays a role in the formation of hyaluronic acid, a component of the connective tissue that helps to keep the gums hydrated and nourished, enhancing their capacity to support the teeth.

Thymus

The thymus gland offers unique nutritional benefits that can support the maintenance of healthy teeth and gums. Known for its role in immune system function, the thymus gland is rich in several nutrients, including zinc, selenium, and various peptides, which collectively contribute to oral health in multifaceted ways.

Zinc, a mineral abundantly found in thymus tissue, plays a critical role in numerous biological processes, including wound healing, immune function, and the maintenance of taste sensitivity. Its presence in the thymus makes this organ meat a valuable dietary addition for those looking to bolster their oral health. Zinc contributes to the prevention and repair of gum disease by enhancing the immune response to periodontal pathogens and supporting the repair of damaged tissues within the oral cavity. Furthermore, adequate zinc levels are essential for maintaining the structural integrity of teeth and preventing the demineralization that can lead to cavities.

Selenium, another nutrient found in the thymus, is known for its antioxidant properties, which help protect the body's cells from oxidative stress. In the context of oral health, selenium can contribute to the protection of gum tissues from the oxidative damage associated with inflammation and periodontal disease. By reducing oxidative stress, selenium supports the health of gum tissues and aids in the prevention of conditions that could compromise oral health.

The thymus gland is also a source of bioactive peptides, like thymosin beta-4, that have been shown to support immune health. These peptides can enhance the body's natural defense mechanisms, including those active in the oral cavity, thereby offering protection against bacterial infections that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. By bolstering the immune response, these peptides from the thymus gland help to maintain a balanced oral microbiome and protect against the development of oral health issues.