Bacteria That Lives In Your Mouth

If you are experiencing Bacteria That Lives In Your Mouth or are having any dental issues, contact a Billings Dentist!

Everyone has bacteria that live in their mouths.  Some bacteria that live in the human body are beneficial or harmless, but some bacteria can cause disease.  Bad bacteria in the mouth can cause cavities and plaque, and plaque can cause gingivitis, which, if left untreated, could lead to the much more severe Periodontal Disease.  There’s no way to be entirely rid of the bacteria within our mouths, and the warm, moist environment ensures that bacteria will have a hospitable place to thrive.  There are several ways to clean the teeth and gums from home that can help to prevent these bacterial caused diseases from taking hold, but good oral care from home is only half the battle against oral disease.  A person should visit their dentist for a proper teeth cleaning, because good oral care at home wont entirely remove harmful plaque, or completely treat gingivitis.  A teeth cleaning by a dental professional will remove all harmful bacteria within your mouth.

Good home care includes a regular brushing of the teeth, preferably twice a day and after a meal.  Also, remember to change out your toothbrush every three to four months.  Dental floss is another important component to oral care.  Floss cleans the space between the teeth where the bristles of the brush are unable to reach.  Flossing helps to remove harmful plaque that grows between the teeth, and, if a person doesn’t floss, they are not cleaning approximately 33% of the surfaces of their teeth.  Healthy diet is very important to bodily health, and oral health.  Snacks and sweets are hard on teeth.  Bacteria break down the sugars in sugary drinks and sugary or starchy foods, and they create an acid that erodes the surface of enamel.  Enamel can heal itself, but when enamel is broken down enough, cavities will form in the tooth.  A tongue scraper is also an important tool, because bacteria can grow everywhere in the crevices of the tongue.

While these are great tools for good oral health, you should still visit your dentist every six months for a routine teeth cleaning.  If you haven’t had a teeth cleaning before, or, if it has been much longer since six months, then have no fear, your dentist/hygienist will still be able to clean the bacteria from your teeth, and also teach you the proper techniques for cleaning your teeth and gums at home.