It should be no surprise to you that bacteria (both good and bad) are found everywhere. This includes on your body, in your home, and even inside your mouth.
Everyone in the world has a community of bacteria (or a microbiome) residing within their body. Every day, we are exposed to even more types of bacteria as we go about our daily lives.
While some of the bacteria we encounter are good for our immune systems and help to keep a healthy balance, other types can lead to illness, infection, and disease.
Often, not having the right balance of good bacteria can cause issues such as allergies, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases. If you would like to learn more about the bacteria that live in your mouth, please read below. Keep in mind that not all bacteria are bad for you and that striking a healthy balance is very important to maintaining good oral hygiene.
Cause of Bad Breath
One of the major causes of bad breath is a bad bacterium. While studies show that up to 700 bacteria live in the human mouth, certain types of bacteria are also responsible for causing gum disease, decay, and bad breath.
If you have been suffering from bad breath and have not found a suitable treatment, you should discuss this with a qualified dental hygienist or dentist who can take a closer look at your mouth. They may be able to identify the cause of your bad breath and which bacteria may be present.
Good Oral Bacteria
In order to keep bad breath and dental issues at bay, there are also good bacteria residing in your mouth that fight off bad bacteria and keep everything in working order. These types of bacteria are essential to your oral health and also play a surprising role in the food digestion process.
When thinking about the bacteria in your mouth, it’s best to imagine a community of different bacteria working together rather than one singular type on its own.
A Balancing Act
With the idea of bacteria in your mouth as a community, it’s reasonable to assume that you have to have the right balance of good vs. bad bacteria in order to maintain a healthy mouth.
This means reducing bad bacteria and promoting good bacteria. Certain foods such as vegetables and fresh fruit are good for your oral health and oral bacteria, whereas too much sugar and junk food caters to bad bacteria.
Keep a healthy diet, practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing daily, and try switching to an alcohol-free mouthwash. Alcohol entirely rids the mouth of bacteria. Unfortunately, this kills even the good bacteria and leaves your mouth dry. With an alcohol-free mouthwash, you maintain some of those good bacteria that will ultimately help foster a healthy community of microbes in your mouth.
Fighting Tooth Decay
In order to fight tooth decay and plaque build-up, you should be actively reducing the presence of bad bacteria in your mouth. In fact, bad bacteria (and fungus) that accumulate on and inside your teeth cause tooth decay. Research is currently underway to determine exactly how microbes can affect our health, and how bad bacteria can be reduced while leaving good bacteria intact.
Seeing Your Dentist
The importance of seeing your dentist regularly should never be overlooked. A good dentist can identify tooth decay, plaque build-up, and the presence of bad bacteria in the mouth. They can usually even recognize problems before they begin. Don’t neglect seeing your dentist, and remember to bring up any questions and concerns directly to them. They’ve seen it all and will be more than happy to address your issues in a professional and efficient manner.
When it comes to maintaining excellent oral hygiene, you always want a good dentist and oral hygienist on your team. They can help identify any problem areas and give you expert advice on cleaning, aftercare, and maintenance. After all, your oral health is just as important as any other part of your body and deserves the utmost care and attention.
For more information on teeth cleaning in Mississauga and oral hygiene tips, please call Bristol Dental Clinic at 905-712-3409 or contact us here. Our dental professionals are industry leaders and the very best at what they do. Contact us today for more information on keeping and maintaining a beautiful, healthy smile.
