There is no question that bad dental bacteria cause tooth caries and periodontal disease. However, while bad bacteria can cause a host of issues for your teeth and gums, you also have good bacteria in your mouth that help you digest food and break it down into vitamins and minerals for your body. Here is a description of good and bad bacteria in your mouth.
The Good
One of the best types of bacteria you can have in your mouth and gut is lactobacilli. Lactobacilli is a bacteria fighter. In both your mouth and your gut, lactobacilli fight the growth of bad bacteria that cause disease. They can even destroy bacteria, which leaves your mouth healthier. Researchers know that lactobacilli can also help destroy the viruses that cause infectious diarrhea in both children and adults. In fact, lactobacilli are so beneficial that many companies add them to chewing gum and dairy products to make sure you have plenty of these helpful bacteria in your system.
The Bad
While there are several types of good bacteria in your mouth, there are also several types of bad bacteria in your mouth as well. One of the most serious types of bad bacteria is called Treponema denticola, which is a specialized type of bacteria. These bacteria love to live in the tiny spaces between the gum tissue and the lower part of your tooth. Once the bacteria is established along your gumline, it is extremely difficult to remove. Treponema denticola is one of the three bacteria types that cause serious gum disease, which leads to tooth loss, inflammation, and infection in your mouth and throughout your body.
Is There Anything I Can Do?
There are several things you can do to make sure you have an excellent balance of good bacteria in your mouth and reduce the likelihood of having too many colonies of bad bacteria: brush and floss twice a day every day, keep your dental checkups, and make sure your dairy products are full of good bacteria, such as lactobacilli. Need to make your next dental appointment? We can help. Give our office a call today to make an appointment.
About Sammamish, WA | James Widmer DMD Family Dentistry Discover Dr. James Widmer's and Dr. Rebecca Carratt’s commitment to exceptional dental care in Sammamish, WA. Meet the dentists who care for your smile! Jason Widner DMD Family Dentistry, 707 228th Ave. NE, Sammamish, WA 98074 \ 425-868-0123 \ yourfamilydentist.com \ 9/11/2024 \ Related Phrases: dentist Sammamish WA \
There is no question that bad dental bacteria cause tooth caries and periodontal disease. However, while bad bacteria can cause a host of issues for your teeth and gums, you also have good bacteria in your mouth that help you digest food and break it down into vitamins and minerals for your body. Here is a description of good and bad bacteria in your mouth.