There are about 100 million bacteria in every milliliter of saliva. Are they harmful and how does it affect the rest of the body?
Contents
Bacterium in the mouth
Bacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that exist everywhere in the world. We usually think of them as being harmful, in reality, most serve beneficial and even necessary purposes. The human mouth houses over 6 billion bacteria of over 700 different species. Being consistently warm and moist, the oral cavity is the perfect environment for unicellular organisms to thrive.
Bacteria can be found on your tongue, palate, tonsils, gums, and even inside your cheeks. They feed off sugars in the food and drinks we consume to form a layer of biofilm that coats the teeth. Every time you chew, germs get pushed into small fissures. Each time you swallow droplets filled with bacteria enter your digestive system and bloodstream. You can’t see them with the naked eye, but you’ll know if you need a brushing when your mouth feels stale, sticky, or slimy. To ensure you maintain a healthy mouth visit your local dentist, regularly, or view this page for more significant dental concerns.
The concentration and composition of the oral bacterial flora depends on several circumstances. While some factors are impossible to control, others are a matter of hygiene and habit:
- Diet
- Oral temperature
- Saliva pH
- Oxygen concentration
- The strength of your immune system
- Anatomical features and overall condition of the mouth
Mouth Bacteria, Periodontics and Pathogens
The presence of bacteria in the mouth is considered normal, as long as the body’s natural defenses can control their massive spread. The vast majority of microbes are benign. Proteobacteria, for example, protect the gums from pathogens. If the volume of these “good bacteria” decreases, the balance is disturbed, and toxic bacteria starts to sprout. It’s important to treat oral contagions sooner than later. Only a couple strains are known to be harmful, but they alone can cause cavities, the loss of teeth, infections, and an array of illnesses that can affect the entire body.
Streptococcus
Streptococcus mutans is a genus of the problem-causing bacteria found often in the mouth. It causes tooth decay and periodontitis, a serious inflammatory disease that affects the gum tissues and alveolar bone. It is prevalent, residing on the surfaces and between teeth and secrete an acid that produces plaque, a sticky substance that eats away at the tooth’s enamel leaving acute damage to the soft and hard tissues of the mouth, tooth loss, sepsis, and in extreme cases even death, over time.
Pg
The other bacteria with the ability to cause harm to the mouth and body is Porphyromonas gingivalis, or Pg. This organism is typically not present in a healthy mouth; it converts safe microbes into perilous ones. Pg is a sign of gum disease and must be treated by a periodontal specialist. Neglected it can enter and infest other organs. It has been linked to quite serious health issues, including pneumonia, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, hepatitis and esophageal cancer. It can cross the blood-brain barrier and trigger cerebral complications like Alzheimer’s disease.
Interaction between oral microbiota and gut
Experiments have shown patients with various diseases, with oral-oriented bacteria that manifested and colonized the intestines. These infections lead to chronic inflammation and immunity disorders P. gingivalis is one of the key bacterium that can be transferred from the mouth to gut, triggering including colon and pancreatic cancer, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and diabetes. An overgrowth seems to promote the development of liver disease.
Signs that your mouth might be overrun with bad bacteria:
- Bad breath.
- A bitter taste
- Persistent pain
- Sensitive or loose teeth
- Irritated, swollen, or inflamed gums, neck or jaw
- Receding gums or growing spaces between your teeth
- Trouble eating or speaking
- Abscesses or pus
- Headache
- Fever
How to Manage Bacteria
1. Brush and floss more often.
Since these micro-organisms feed off the sugars, brushing and flossing to eliminate any food particles after eating will hinder their proliferation
2. Rinse your mouth out.
An antibacterial mouthwash can also be used to keep your bacteria from taking over. But be cautious using it as part of a long-term daily routine. It will clear out those beneficial bacteria with the bad. Drink and rinse with plain water after meals, which acts as buffer until you can reach a sink for a proper cleaning.
3. Scrape your tongue.
A lot of really smelly, and not very healthy bacteria tend to rest on your tongue. Thankfully, removing them isn’t all to difficult, you can either just use your toothbrush to gently clean your tongue, or use a scrapper to scour it clean.
4. Stop using tobacco products.
Besides causing cancer, smoking and tobacco makes the mouth sticky and attracts bacteria.
5. Try chewing
Grazing on gum stimulates saliva, which is the mouth’s natural defense mechanism to clear away plaque acids, but opt for sugarless.
6. See your dentist.
Excellent oral hygiene is the best way to prevent the spread of ominous bacteria. Visit a dental professional for a regular cleaning and checkup, at least twice a year; it might be recommended that you come in more frequent if you have unique situation that requires more attention. A dentist will also be able to give you specific advice and techniques to keep contamination under control.
7. Eating a healthy well-balanced diet
It will not only better the condition of your mouth but will boost your overall wellbeing. Also try to limit sugary and starchy foods and drinks. Without a suitable living environment, bacteria cannot flourish. To fight an abundance of plaque buildup, keep your bacteria under control by filling your plate with fermented foods like sauerkraut, pickles, miso, and sourdough bread. Indulge in fresh fruits and vegetables. The fiber encourages more saliva and helps to flush particles and harmful acids from the mouth. Consider plain yogurt, cheese and milk, green and black teas.
While an excess of unmanaged bacteria can have negative effects on your overall system, the right care will keep harmful bacteria at bay and maintain a healthy equilibrium in your complex oral microbiome.
