You can’t see them, you can’t taste them, but your mouth has a lot of microorganisms living in it. Like it or not, there are around 700 different strains of bacteria living inside our mouth. Most of these occur naturally, and they even help with food digestion, such as probiotics. Some microorganisms cause tooth decay and gum disease.
What Are Mouth Bacteria
Scientists have a name for our mouth’s ecosystem – the human oral microbiome. A big part of the ecosystem is bacteria. A single mouth can have around 6 billion – that’s almost the human population of the earth, which is 7.3 billion.
Those billions of microorganisms live in diverse communities, where they are being born, feeding, working, mating, defecating, and dying (Yes, all of these are happening right now in your mouth). Like most communities, there are good communities, and there are bad ones. The bad ones are what’s causing decay, gum inflammation, and tooth loss. Newport Smiles is the top Dental Office in the area.
Streptococcus – The Cause of Decay
Streptococcus is what is known in this world as the bad community. These types are the reason you have tooth decay. They feed on sugar and starchy foods than produce acids that can cause damage to your tooth enamel. Another harmful type of harmful is Porphyromonas gingivalis. They don’t usually thrive inside your mouth, but when they do, it can destroy the gum tissues, and the alveolar bones that support your teeth.
Streptococcus creates a sticky, clear substance known as plaque. It is the waste product of the bacteria that is acidic that can weaken our tooth enamel. Sugary foods such as cakes and candies are their food. It won’t affect you the moment you eat one sugary food, but if you don’t always brush and floss your teeth the plaque will start to form. If you are not diligent with your oral hygiene, the plaque will turn into cavities, then later tooth decay. You can get rid of plaque by simply drinking water regularly. However, sodas and juices don’t count as it contains sugar and acids that can weaken the enamel and promote plaque production.
Brushing your teeth regularly helps to fight the buildup of plaque. It won’t have enough time to develop plaque; therefore, it won’t breakdown the enamel and go to the inner parts of the teeth. If the bacteria go to the inner part of the tooth, it can develop an infection that you can feel because your teeth will hurt at the time. If the pain gets worse, your dental professional may recommend tooth extraction or root canal treatment to get rid of the decay.
Control Mouth Bacteria By Following These Tips
The key to controlling this happening in your mouth is to do the following:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes, preferably after every meal to prevent plaque accumulation.
- Floss at least once. It helps to get rid of the buildup of food particles in between the teeth as your toothbrush won’t get into it.
- Use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps to shield the teeth from tooth decay.
- Use mouthwash. Mouthwash can kill most decay-causing bacteria, and it helps to prevent bad breath as well. Most mouthwash also contains fluoride, and this works effectively to prevent tooth decay.
Visit your dental professional twice a year for comprehensive cleaning and exams. Schedule an appointment today.
