Keep Away! What Bacteria Are Living in Your Mouth?
Brush, rinse, floss. It is or should be your twice daily routine. It removes food particles, keeps your teeth white and prevents plaque build up. More importantly though, it helps kill harmful bacteria that want to make a home of your mouth. Not just one type of bacteria though. Individuals that practice oral hygiene have 1,000 to 100,000 bacteria living on each tooth surface, while less clean mouths can have between 100 million and 1 billion bacteria on each tooth. Gasp! Call the exterminator? Calm down, like most things in life the good come with the bad and vice versa. The good bacteria, called probiotics, help aid digestion, which begins in the mouth. Hats off to you, little bacteria! The bad bacteria, however, can cause tooth decay and severe gum disease.
Dr. Charchuk and his team at Chinook Mall Family Dental Clinic are here to give you the 101 on oral bacteria.
There are two types of bacteria in particular that are known to cause dental destruction:
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Streptococcus mutans
Responsible for causing tooth decay and cavities, streptococcus mutans thrive off of the sugars and carbohydrates you consume, creating destructive acids which attack your precious enamel.Interestingly enough, we aren’t actually born with streptococcus mutans present in our mouth and are typically first introduced to it when we’re infants – receiving it from our mother or primary caregiver. Essentially everyone has strep mutans and unfortunately unable to avoid it.
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Porphyromonas gingivalis
Porphyromonas gingivitis is a bacteria that has a strong link to periodontitis, the final stage of gum disease that puts the teeth at risk for becoming loose and falling out. Meaning strep mutans pose a threat to our teeth – and porphy gingivitis pose a threat to our gums. This nasty bacteria is also correlated to other chronic inflammatory diseases.
The best way to keep these destructive bacteria under control keeping up proper oral hygiene practices and by eating a healthy, balanced diet. Brushing your teeth twice a day for two full minutes each time, and always flossing daily is imperative. Along with regular visits to the dentist.
What Are Good Bacteria?
Good bacteria are the group of microorganisms that mean no harm to our body. Usually termed as probiotic they only benefit their host. They provide us with valuable nutrients and keep the body from infections.
Without the billions of good bacterial cells, our bodies could not survive. So understanding how bacteria contributes to your body is important.
Bacteria is found all over the body but concentrated in three main places, the mouth being one of them. The other two are your gut and skin. Be thoughtful in what you eat, how often you brush and floss as well keeping your check ups up to date. These habits will ensure the bad bacteria is kept at bay and that the good bacteria can do its job!
With our office in CF Chinook Centre, we offer Calgarians and our patients a central location when they are due for a check up. For any questions or concerns about your oral health please contact us, we are here ready and happy to help.
