Promoting Optimal Oral Health - Bacteria
Bacterial populations and balance within the mouth
The mouth contains over 300 strains of bacteria. S. mutans is a problematic strain of bacteria that can cause dental decay. Certain people have greater levels of S. mutans in their mouths, which predispose them to cavities. Fortunately, strategies exist to reduce the level of S. mutans within the mouth and promote the growth of more beneficial and competitive strains.
Promoting a healthier oral bacterial balance:
Regular brushing and flossing
Use mouth washes containing xylitol and anti-bacterial essential oils such as cinnamon, oregano, peppermint, tea tree, and thyme linalool (along with baking soda to naturally raise one’s salivary pH)
Xylitol flavored candies can also reduce the levels of problematic bacteria4 9
Oral Probiotic lozenges such as EvoraPro, which are dissolved in one’s mouth after tooth brushing encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria that can out compete mutans for space.10
Oil Pulling Therapy is a practice that derives from the Ayurvedic medicine. Essentially one swishes (and spits out) a tablespoon of oil (for example coconut oil which is believed to inhibit mutans) within ones mouth for a period of time. Sometimes this is done in conjunction with an anti-bacterial essential oil. The oil is believed to pull out problematic bacteria from their hiding places within the teeth and gums, leaving the mouth feeling fresh and healthy.11 9
Most important of course is to eat a diet that discourages the growth of problematic bacteria within the mouth and elsewhere in the digestive tract.
Pregnancy and Early Childhood; the importance of early intervention:
Mothers with the highest levels of S.mutans often have children who inherit this risk factor. While researchers have often suspected that this may have occurred when the mother kissed her baby, newer research suggests another possibility. It turns out that a baby will often inherit the bacterial balance presence in the mother’s mouth during pregnancy. Therefore intervention strategies that reduce S.mutans level during pregnancy may have the benefit of assisting both the mother and her future offspring.
Children will ultimately be more or less predisposed towards higher levels of problematic bacteria based upon the balance present when they develop their teeth. This is because the bacteria, which first colonize ones teeth, tend to stay there for life. This is why it’s so important to keep a child’s mouth healthy, especially when the adult teeth develop.4