4 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ORAL MICROBES

By Admin
•
12 Aug, 2021

Girl With Beautiful Smile — Naples, FL — Bradley Piotrowski, DDS, MSD, LLC

Only about 43 percent of your body consists of human cells, with the remainder made up of microscopic life forms such as viruses, fungi, and bacteria. These microbes can play both positive and negative roles in sustaining the areas that they inhabit, including the mouth.

The more you understand about this invisible but highly influential ecosystem, the more successfully you can take the right steps to protect your teeth, gums, and overall health against the effects of destructive strains. Take heed of the following four facts about oral microbes and dental wellness.

1. Your Mouth Contains Both Good and Bad Microbes

The 700 different kinds of bacteria in your mouth include both friends and foes, which compete for the same available resources. The beneficial microbes fight off the harmful ones. For instance, research shows that chewing gum with lactobacilli bacteria strains can reduce gingivitis that bad bacteria promotes.

When the balance between helpful and unhelpful bacteria swings in the latter category's favor, you can develop dental problems as the bad germs override the good ones. You may have an elevated risk for this imbalance if you suffer from poor oral hygiene, unlucky genetics, compromised immune function, or dry mouth.

2. Oral Bacteria Can Cause Cavities and Gum Disease

Streptococcus mutans bacteria produce acids as a byproduct of the starches and sugars that they feed on. These acids can erode the layer of enamel that protects the sensitive interior tissues of your teeth, resulting in cavities. Once the bacteria enters the inner tooth, the tooth and surrounding structures can become painfully infected.

The presence of oral bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis also alerts the immune system to fight back against it. Unfortunately, it does so by creating inflammation in the gums, causing first gingivitis and later periodontal gum disease, or periodontitis. Unchecked periodontitis can cause your teeth to grow loose and fall out.

3. Oral Bacteria Can Spread to Other Parts of the Body

Oral bacteria that harms your oral cavity can also harm the rest of you. For instance, researchers see a connection between oral inflammation and more systemic blood vessel problems, potentially encouraging heart disease. The same inflammation can also promote diabetes by impairing blood sugar control.

Porphyromonas gingivalis has an unfortunate ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, a natural defense system meant to safeguard the brain from harmful germs or toxins. As a result, a severe case of periodontitis can send these bacteria to the brain, where they may contribute to conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.

4. Dental Care and Lifestyle Changes Can Help Control Your Bacterial Balance

Thankfully, you can control the bacterial balance in your mouth to a great degree by making the right choices regarding dental hygiene, diet, and overall lifestyle. Start by brushing and flossing regularly and thoroughly. This simple routine can drastically cut down the sugars and starches that might otherwise feed bad bacteria.

Have a dentist examine and clean your teeth twice a year (or per your dentist's recommendations). The examinations can reveal early signs of enamel erosion, cavities, or gum diseases that might require immediate treatment. The cleanings can scrape away tartar (hardened plaque) that a toothbrush can't.

You can also reduce the number of bad bacteria in your mouth by boosting the number of good bacteria to crowd the unwelcome guests out. Ask your dentist about recommended gums or other products that contain helpful probiotics. A high-fiber diet and plenty of water intake can also discourage bad bacterial growth.

Although mouthwash can do an impressive job of killing bad oral bacteria, frequent use of it may also imperil the healthy bacteria that you want to sustain. If you do use mouthwash, consider it an occasional bacteria fighter instead of a regular part of your oral hygiene regimen.

Bradley Piotrowski, DDS, MSD, LLC, can help you tame the microscopic ecosystem in your mouth for a lifetime of optimal dental wellness. Contact us today to schedule an examination and cleaning.