Mouth bacteria: a friend or foe??

you hear the word bacteria, you might think of the germs that make you sick or your regimented hand-washing during cold and flu season. But when it comes to mouth bacteria, you may be surprised to know that not all bacteria are bad for you or your oral health. In fact, some healthy bacteria are responsible for keeping the bad germs at bay. Get

to know the good bacteria in your mouth and you may not be so quick to banish them all.

The Truth About Bacteria A study by the national institute of health found that 500 to 700 bacteria can live in the human mouth, with an individual harboring 250 to 300 at any given time. While it's true some bacteria are responsible for things like gum disease and other oral diseases (not to mention the transmission of contagious illnesses via the mouth), not all bacteria are bad. In fact, some mouth bacteria play a specific part in helping you stay healthy.

Consider the following ways good bacteria are on your side: Fighting Bad Breath Your mouth is filled with its own bacteria which checks and balances the system. An article published in a 2013 issue of scientific american suggests that eradicating all the bacteria in your mouth could have a negative effect. If you do that, you will be getting rid of some bacteria that control the more offensive mouth bacteria, such as the germs that feed on food particles and emit a foul odor. Good bacteria,like Streptococcus salivarius K12, could effectively cancel out the stinky bacteria and help your breath stay in neutral territory.

Food Digestion Help Sure, the stomach gets all the credit when it comes to digestion, but the actual breakdown of the proteins and sugar in your food starts in the mouth. Healthy bacteria can help aid the process for better digestion. Some better bacteria – like probiotics – in your mouth may be responsible for triggering the enzymatic reaction that begins the digestion of your food, starting with your saliva.

Reducing Oral Disease A study published notes that the healthy bacteria found in probiotics could help stave off oral diseases such as oral candida, as well as periodontal disease and perhaps even dental caries. That is because healthy bacteria can improve or stimulate saliva production, and saliva is responsible for washing away the food particles, sugar and other bad germs that can lead to oral health problems.

Good Bacteria, Good Habits Although your mouth may be home to some good bacteria, it doesn't mean you can skip good oral health habits altogether.