Why Your Bowel Habits Matter to Your Biological Dentist
October 21, 2026 | Dr. Jigar Gandhi: Tooth and Body
Why would a dentist ask how often you go to the bathroom? At Tooth & Body, it is part of the conversation for a reason. In this short video, Dr. Jigar Gandhi shares that many of the patients he has treated report going to the bathroom more regularly after treatment. Some who used to go once a week, or even less, now say they go once or twice a day.
He also shares a message for every patient: nothing in your health history is "too much information." Below, we look at what he has observed, a striking case involving a young patient, and why sharing the details you might feel embarrassed about can help guide your care.
Prefer YouTube? Watch the video here.
What Patients Are Reporting After Treatment
Dr. Gandhi has noticed a pattern among patients after biological dental treatment: many say their digestion has become more regular. When he asks what they mean, some explain that they now go once or twice a day, while before treatment they were going roughly once a week or once every other week.
These are patient reports, not controlled study results, and digestion is influenced by many factors. Still, Dr. Gandhi hears it often enough that he believes it is worth sharing and worth asking about.
A Young Patient's Case: Asking the Bigger Question
Dr. Gandhi describes a patient in her early twenties who already had a colostomy bag due to significant gut issues. When he examined her mouth, he found one dead tooth, which was removed, and four large cavitations in the jawbone.
Could those oral infections have contributed to her gut problems? Dr. Gandhi is honest that it is hard to say, especially since the damage had already happened. What he can do is ask the question: if the sources of infection are cleaned up, could things change? He does not promise an answer, but he believes it is worth exploring.
What Is a Dead Tooth?
A dead, or non-vital, tooth is one whose inner nerve and blood supply are no longer alive, often because of deep decay or past trauma. A dead tooth can harbor bacteria and may lead to infection in the surrounding bone, sometimes without pain.
What Is a Cavitation?
A cavitation is an area of poorly healed or dead bone in the jaw, often at a former extraction site such as a wisdom tooth. Cavitations usually cause no pain and can be difficult to see on standard X-rays, which is why Dr. Gandhi uses 3D cone beam CT (CBCT) imaging to evaluate the jaw.
The Mouth and the Gut Are Connected
The mouth is the start of the digestive tract. Everything that happens there, including bacteria from chronic infections, can travel downstream. Researchers continue to study how oral bacteria may affect the gut microbiome and inflammation in the digestive system.
On the tooth meridian chart from traditional Chinese medicine, certain teeth are also associated with the small and large intestine. Western medicine does not recognize these links as proven, and Dr. Gandhi uses the chart as a reference only. View it on our homepage: Tooth & Body Tooth Chart.
For a deeper look at this connection, read Dental Infections and Gut Health: The Oral-Systemic Connection and Wisdom Teeth Removal, Stress, and Gut Health in Young Adults.
Why Nothing Is "Too Much Information"
Every new Tooth & Body patient completes a detailed medical history. Even so, Dr. Gandhi often learns later that patients held back details because they felt embarrassed or thought it was too personal to share with a dentist.
His message is clear: it is not too much information. Details about digestion, bowel habits, skin, hormones, sleep, and energy help him understand the full picture. They can point him toward areas to look at more closely and help him plan care that makes sense for the whole person.
Details Worth Sharing With Your Biological Dentist
- How often you have bowel movements and any changes over time
- Bloating, reflux, or other digestive symptoms
- Past surgeries or procedures, including gut-related ones
- Skin issues, hormone concerns, or chronic pain
- Past dental trauma, extractions, or root canals
Ongoing digestive symptoms should also be evaluated by a physician or gastroenterologist. Biological dentistry is meant to work alongside your medical care, not replace it.
How Tooth & Body Approaches Care
When imaging and examination confirm problem areas, Dr. Gandhi may recommend removing dead teeth or performing cavitation surgery to clean out unhealthy bone. Depending on the case, care may include ozone therapy, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), red-light laser therapy, and his Bone Healing Protocol .
For more patient experiences, read Cavitation Surgery Patient Stories: A Biological Dentistry Journey and What a Pathogen Report Reveals After Cavitation Surgery. Learn about Dr. Gandhi's training in Meet Dr. Gandhi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a biological dentist ask about bowel habits?
Biological dentists look at oral health as part of whole-body health. Details about digestion can help Dr. Gandhi understand your overall health and identify areas to evaluate more closely in the mouth.
Can dental treatment help with constipation?
This has not been proven by research. Many of Dr. Gandhi's patients report more regular bowel movements after treatment, but results vary. Persistent constipation should also be evaluated by a physician.
Can a dead tooth affect your health?
A dead tooth can harbor bacteria and may lead to infection in the surrounding bone, sometimes without pain. Biological dentists evaluate dead teeth as possible sources of chronic infection and inflammation.
Are oral health and gut health connected?
The mouth is the beginning of the digestive tract, and researchers are studying how oral bacteria may affect the gut. Dr. Gandhi believes that reducing oral infections may support digestive health in some patients.
What should I share during my consultation?
Share everything, including digestion, bowel habits, skin, hormones, sleep, pain, and past dental work. As Dr. Gandhi says, it is not too much information. The more he knows, the better he can understand what may be happening.
Tell Us the Whole Story
If you are dealing with digestive issues or other ongoing health concerns, your mouth may be part of the picture. Dr. Jigar Gandhi and the Tooth & Body team, located at 875 N Broadway in North Massapequa, NY, take the time to hear your full health history and use advanced 3D imaging to look for answers.
Request a consultation today or book a virtual consultation from anywhere in the country.
