Do you know how many bacteria are in your mouth? The answer may shock you. Discover more about the microbes you harbour and what you can do to stay healthy.

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Did you know that the sticky plaque on your teeth is host to hundreds of millions of bacteria? There are tons of microbes in your mouth, both helpful and harmful. Understanding these germs is an essential part of keeping your teeth healthy and your smile white.

The ecosystem in your mouth is called “the human oral biome.” Here’s what you need to know about what lives in there — both helpful and harmful — and what you can do about it.

Your Mouth Has Millions of Bacteria

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A Canadian mouth is home to more than six billion bacteria. Considering that the entire earth’s population is 7.3 billion people, you can understand the scale of the ecosystem. Not all of these bacteria are harmful. Many of them are probiotics that support your overall health as well as your dental wellness. 

The microbes you want to watch out for are the ones that create a sticky, colourless film called plaque. These bacteria cause tooth decay and gum disease, which can impact your entire body. 

Different bacteria hang out in different areas of your mouth, basically forming communities. Some prefer teeth, others the tongue, and others the pockets in your gums. The good bacteria help keep the bad ones in check while also helping you digest food.

Scientists haven’t figured out all of the bacteria that live in your mouth. Some of those microbes don’t live anywhere on earth except for your mouth! 

Your Activity Impacts the Growth of Bacteria

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Brushing your teeth and flossing helps remove plaque and keeps the bad bacteria from causing problems. However, this is an ongoing process. Every day more plaque and bad bacteria are formed, and you have to keep your teeth clean regularly to fight it. 

This is why professionals recommend brushing twice a day and visiting the dentist in Burlington Ontario regularly. This helps avoid problems like enamel erosion, cavities, and gum disease. 

What you eat and drink also impacts the bacteria in your mouth. For instance, if you eat and drink sugary things, you promote the growth of plaque and bad microbes. These bacteria can turn into acid, which weakens the enamel surface of your teeth. When the enamel gets thin, yellowing can happen as the dentin underneath is exposed. 

Mouth Bacteria Can Affect Your Entire Body

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Go to Etobicoke dental health centre immediately if you get infections or gum disease in your mouth, much more than your teeth are affected. It’s not just bacteria that causes tooth decay, but also fungus. The fungus gets energy from the sugars released by the bacteria, and the bacteria feeds on the substances the fungus releases. 

Oral bacteria can play a role in a variety of diseases. The inner lining of your heart can become infected by bacteria from other parts of your body, including your mouth. Cardiovascular disease can also be linked to inflamation that comes from infection and bacteria. 

Gum and tooth issues have also been linked to complications with pregnancy and birth. Nothing in your body stands alone — an infection or overgrowth of bad bacteria from one area impacts everything else.

Good Dental Health is Essential

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As you can see, mouth bacteria is a big deal. There are billions of different bacteria in your mouth, and some of them are determined to damage your teeth and gums. Only by brushing, flossing, and seeing a best dentists in ottawa regularly can you defeat it.

Dental health is important from birth until death. Even without teeth you need to care for gums and eat healthy foods that support the growth of good bacteria. Be sure you’re doing what you need to do to enjoy your teeth throughout your life!