How do bacteria affect our dental health?

In our mouth there are more than 600 kinds of bacteria. But not all of them are harmful: there are bacteria that protect our oral health and help prevent diseases, and there are pathogenic bacteria that are very harmful to our health.

Why are there bacteria in our mouth? The oral cavity is a perfect space for the proliferation of bacteria, since it has nooks and crannies where they can settle, a warm temperature above 35º and a humid environment. In addition, the body generates its own bacterial protection system. Thus, since there are “good” and “bad” bacteria, the objective is not to leave our mouth absolutely clean and aseptic, but to find the balance between preserving the beneficial oral flora and avoiding the proliferation of harmful bacteria.

The origin of bacteria in our mouth

The bacterial ecosystem of our mouth is formed over the years, from the moment we are born. In fact, the oral microbiota is already formed at the moment of birth, from the bacteria of the cervix and those found in the air.

Our habits also influence the type and quantity of bacteria found in our mouth. For example, yawning, nail biting or kissing alter the bacterial flora. A 2014 study in the journal Microbiome found that when two people kiss passionately, about 80 million bacteria are transferred, which can lead to couples having similar oral flora.

Similar, but not the same. Each person’s oral flora is unique, because in addition to external factors – the environment around us – genetics also plays a role. According to research from Ohio State University (USA), oral bacteria, especially those found under the gums, create an imprint in our mouth that allows us to identify a person’s ethnicity.

What is bacterial flora?

The oral bacterial flora is the set of bacteria that our body uses to fight against other bacteria, especially those that can harm us. This flora varies from one person to another, and influences the development of our immune system.

Maintaining the balance of the oral bacterial flora is essential to take care of our oral health, as well as our overall health, since some of the pathogenic bacteria in our mouth can cause more serious diseases in other body systems, as we will see below.

What is bacterial plaque?

Bacterial plaque is a film composed of certain types of bacteria and sugars that we ingest. These bacteria settle on the surface of the tooth and allow other microorganisms to adhere and attack the enamel.

This plaque can be the cause of various oral problems, such as caries, gingivitis or tartar.

What problems can bacteria in our mouth cause?

The alteration of the balance of the bacterial ecosystem in our mouth can cause:

• That is, inflammation of the gums caused by bacterial plaque. Bacteria are introduced between the gum and the tooth, which can lead to tooth loss if not treated in time.
• Bacteria transform the sugars and starches in the food we eat into acids that dissolve the tooth enamel and create holes that can reach the dental pulp.
• Bad breath. Some bacteria break down foods rich in proteins or fats and generate sulfur compounds, which are responsible for bad breath.

In addition, as mentioned above, some of the pathogenic bacteria can cause problems in other systems:

• One of the bacteria present in plaque can enter the bloodstream and cause infective endomyocarditis, i.e. inflammation of the heart valves.
• A Yale University study found that patients with respiratory infections had Sobrinus bacteria among the most prevalent bacteria in the mouth, leading them to link poor oral hygiene with an increased risk of respiratory disease.
• The presence of certain bacteria in the mouth may imply an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, according to a New York University study, and other common oral bacteria may trigger colon cancer, according to another study from Case Western Reserve University.

The key is to maintain the balance of the bacterial ecosystem.

When the natural balance of our mouth is disturbed, pathogenic or harmful bacteria can begin to dominate, making us more vulnerable to the health problems they cause.

This happens especially when the pH of our mouth is altered, our hygiene or nutritional habits, or if we follow an unhealthy diet. If we think that this balance has been altered, the first thing we should do is go to our dentist to assess our oral health status, and advise us on our eating habits and hygiene.

The use of probiotics has proven to be very effective in restoring the balance of the oral flora and combating harmful bacteria, especially those that cause caries, gingivitis and bad breath.