Tips To Prevent Mouth from Harmful Bacteria

Mouth is the home of a wide array of bacteria which include both good and bad ones. When bacteria are left undisturbed in the mouth, they form complex community which is known as biofilm. The process of formation of biofilm can be a longer one and it can lead to a variety of dental and oral health problems.

Stages of biofilm formation

There are different phases of the formation of biofilm

• This is the first phase of biofilm formation. In this phase, the free-floating bacteria make initial contact with a surface.
• The next phase is the biofilm phase. During this phase, the bacteria combine to form groups which get attached to the nearby surfaces.
• The third phase in this process is the dispersion phase which is the most threatening one. This phase is characterized by movement of disease-causing bacteria that tend to develop infections.

Oral bacteria which are harmful

There are 700 different types of bacteria that live in the human mouth. These bacteria do little to no harm if the mouth is cleaned regularly and thoroughly. However, leaving these bacteria undisturbed can lead to infections which can further result in oral and dental health conditions. Some of the harmful bacteria found in the biofilm include Fusobacterium, Streptococcus, Prevotella, Porphyromonas and Actinomyces.

Oral health conditions caused by biofilm

According to Journal of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, there are three oral health conditions which can happen if the dental biofilm in the mouth is left to develop.

• Tooth decay if the first thing that tends to happen due to biofilm. This decay occurs due to acidic conditions in the mouth. The bacterial biofilm is acidic due to the acids released by bacteria. This acid can weaken tooth enamel and contribute to the formation of cavities.
• Gingivitis is another condition which is developed as a response due to inflammation cause by bacterial presence around the gums. Surely the dental biofilm is to blame in this regard.
• When gingivitis is allowed to develop further, it can be lead to periodontitis which is an advanced form of gum disease. This disease can result in the bone loss, leading to the loss of tooth.

Prevent bacteria buildup

Preventing bacteria buildup is extremely important if you want to be on the top of your oral health. Good thing is that you are not going to have to do much. Brushing and flossing right according to the dentist’s instructions and going for a dental visit after every six months are all you need to do if you want to prevent your oral health from being threatened in any way.

Things to Know About Tooth Re-Mineralization

Outer layer of the teeth is known as enamel which consists of a mineral structure. This structure is what makes tooth enamel the hardest material of the body. Here, you might find it hard to imagine that some of the minerals are lost from the inside of enamel crystals. However, good news is that these lost minerals are replaced with the help of a molecular process which is known as tooth re-mineralization.

What is demineralization?

According to a study published by International Journal of Nanomedicine (IJN), tooth enamel contains hydroxyapatite which is a combination of calcium, phosphate and hydroxide. The process through which these minerals are lost is known as demineralization. Demineralization happens when bacteria living in the mouth release acids after they consume sugars in your mouth. That acid can dissolve the minerals.

This is the reason that you need to avoid the intake of acidic foods and beverages. If you have a habit of consuming soda and sport drinks, you are going to have to limit this consumption to avoid any harmful impact on your teeth.

Tooth re-mineralization

Tooth re-mineralization is the process of reversal of demineralization. But one thing that needs to be kept into consideration about re-mineralization is that this process tends to reverse demineralization at very early stage. In this scenario, your saliva is the major player that protects and repairs your tooth enamel. Since your saliva washes away leftover food particles, it also neutralizes acidity in the mouth.

Another way saliva helps in re-mineralization is that it contains many minerals. There is a continued process of exchange of calcium and phosphorus ions between saliva and tooth enamel. This way, the teeth are repaired. Saliva also contains fluoride ions that prevent demineralization and boost the process of re-mineralization.

How to boost the process of re-mineralization

The combination of fluoride, calcium and phosphate ions make the tooth enamel stronger and resilient. This is the reason that dentists all around the world recommend the use of fluoride toothpaste. You can consider getting fluoride through topical treatments which you can get at dental offices as well as at home.

Many of the dental filling materials contain amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP). It is a material that helps in the restoration of tooth enamel by releasing calcium and phosphate ions.

Steps you need to take at home

Besides flossing and brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste, you are going to have to consider adapting to some lifestyle changes if you want your teeth to remain stronger for the bigger portion of your life. Those steps involve the following.

• Put a limit on the consumption of sweets.
• Make sure that you are getting a healthy diet consisting of fruits, proteins and vegetables.
• Consider increasing the amount of cheese in your daily diet.
• Limit snacking between the meals.
• Choose the foods which are rich in vitamin C and phosphorus.