A deeper look at oral health
Oral care has long been treated as a separate category — something functional, contained, and largely cosmetic.
But increasingly, we’re beginning to understand that the mouth is not isolated from the body. It is deeply connected to it.
In our latest Laro Lunch & Learn, we sat down with Dr Gayetri, a functional medicine doctor known for her work in hormones, inflammation, and root-cause health, to explore a question that sits at the heart of everything we do:
What if oral health is a missing piece of the wider wellness conversation?
Meet Dr Gayetri
Dr Gayetri is a UK-based functional medicine practitioner with a global following, known for translating complex health science into practical, everyday understanding.
Her work focuses on:
- Hormonal balance
- Chronic inflammation
- Root-cause approaches to health
What makes her perspective particularly powerful is her ability to connect systems that are often treated separately — including the mouth.
The mouth-body connection
One of the central themes of our conversation was this:
The mouth is not just the beginning of the digestive system — it’s a gateway to systemic health.
Dr Gayetri explained that the oral microbiome plays a critical role in regulating inflammation throughout the body.
When this balance is disrupted, it doesn’t just stay in the mouth.
It can contribute to:
- Chronic, low-grade inflammation
- Immune system dysregulation
- Wider health imbalances over time
This reframes oral care from a twice-daily habit into something far more foundational.
Oral health and hormones: an overlooked link
A particularly compelling part of the conversation explored the relationship between oral health and hormonal balance— an area that is still under-discussed.
Hormonal changes (such as those during:
- Menstrual cycles
- Pregnancy
- Perimenopause
) can directly impact the oral environment.
This might show up as:
- Increased gum sensitivity or bleeding
- Changes in the oral microbiome
- Heightened inflammation
But the relationship also works in the other direction.
Poor oral health — particularly chronic inflammation in the mouth — can place additional stress on the body, potentially influencing hormonal balance over time.
It’s a two-way relationship.
Inflammation begins closer than we think
Inflammation is often discussed in abstract terms — something happening “within the body.”
But as Dr Gayetri pointed out, one of the most accessible places to influence inflammation is in the mouth.
The oral cavity is:
- Highly vascular
- Highly absorbent
- Constantly interacting with the external environment
This means that what we put into our mouths — including oral care products — can have a more immediate and systemic impact than we might assume.
Rethinking everyday products
A key takeaway from our conversation was the importance of questioning everyday exposures.
Many conventional oral care products prioritise:
- Strong antibacterial action
- Immediate sensory impact (foam, burn, intense freshness)
But these can sometimes come at the expense of:
- Microbiome balance
- Tissue health
- Long-term oral stability
Dr Gayetri highlighted the value of choosing formulations that:
- Support rather than disrupt
- Work with the body, not against it
- Consider the cumulative impact of daily use
Small changes, meaningful impact
One of the most reassuring aspects of the conversation was this:
You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight.
Instead, it’s about small, consistent shifts:
- Being more aware of ingredients
- Supporting the oral microbiome
- Reducing unnecessary irritants
- Choosing products that align with overall health
Because oral care is something we do every day — and those daily actions add up.
Why this conversation matters
There is a growing movement towards understanding health as interconnected.
Skin, gut, hormones, immune system — no longer separate silos, but part of a wider ecosystem.
Oral health is now firmly part of that picture.
And yet, it’s still often overlooked.
Conversations like this help to bring it back into focus — not as an afterthought, but as a starting point.
Watch the full conversation
This article only scratches the surface of what we covered.
In the full Lunch & Learn, Dr Gayetri shares deeper insights into:
- The science of inflammation
- The oral microbiome’s role in systemic health
- Practical ways to support your body through daily rituals
- How to make more informed choices around oral care
→ Watch the full interview here
A more connected approach to care
At Laro, we believe oral care should feel as considered as skincare — rooted in both science and ritual.
Because the mouth is not separate from the body.
And the smallest daily habits often have the greatest long-term impact.