Do Probiotics Prevent Tooth Decay? If you suffer from tooth decay and gum disease, you probably have bacteria in your mouth to blame. According to studies, humans have more than 500 different species of bacteria in their mouth and digestive system at any given time.
While some bacteria are good and facilitate proper food digestion, others are destructive and may cause serious health problems, including tooth decay. Tooth decay is one of the most common dental problems experienced by most children and adults. Essentially, it destroys tooth tissues by bacterial fermentation of dietary carbohydrates and sugars.
Most people are constantly searching for natural ways to help their teeth naturally. Using typical toothpaste doesn’t always prevent our teeth from decaying. It is because they contain chemicals that are not only favorable to the teeth but do not support the growth of good bacteria in the mouth. As a result, probiotics are given to patients as the best alternative for treating tooth decay.
Probiotics are groups of good bacteria that can be used to treat tooth decay and gastrointestinal issues. Researchers have proven that probiotics effectively treat oral problems like bad breath, periodontitis, gingivitis, and tooth decay. This document focuses on the benefits of taking probiotics in preventing tooth decay.
Can Probiotics Prevent Tooth Decay?
Yes, oral probiotics work to improve general oral health, especially for people who have existing dysbiosis in their oral microbiome. Dysbiosis is the disruption in the balance of bacterial communities found inside the mouth.
The mouth, like the gut, has many bacteria, and the microbiome is a perfect example of good bacteria inside the mouth. Microbiome and tooth decay are closely related. It manages the health of your mouth. The importance of taking probiotics is they help maintain a healthy microbial balance in the mouth, and as a result, they help prevent tooth decay.
Dental probiotics are specific strains of bacteria known to support a healthy mouth and improve general oral health. They are taken to enhance the growth of good bacteria, including the microbiome, and stop the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
Evidence suggests that dental probiotics can help reduce tooth decay by inhibiting the growth of strep mutans. The advantages of probiotics are mainly targeted at tooth decay prevention. The supplements are responsible for delivering good bacterial strains directly to the mouth so they can colonize the mouth surfaces and form biofilms.
How do Dental Probiotics Work?
Generally, probiotics are taken to improve the immune system response, making it easier for the body to kill harmful bacteria, thus preventing several infections. Dental care probiotics are an excellent way to reduce tooth decay risk.
It is because they attack plaque-borne bacteria. The teeth and gums are constantly covered in plaque, a transparent, sticky film that builds up with time, especially when brushing the teeth, and is not regularly taken care of.
When someone takes bread, drinks, juice, or sugary materials, the sugars combine with the harmful oral bacteria to form acids (lactic acid) through chemical reactions. The acids can eventually lead to dental decay by attacking your tooth enamel.
Dental care probiotics make it more difficult for bacteria and plaque to adhere to your teeth by killing off harmful bacteria and preventing chemical reactions that form lactic acid from taking place. Researchers found that using probiotics in mouthwash reduced plaque formation by roughly 20%.
Gum disease is also a significant problem brought about by harmful bacteria. Plaque that has hardened into tartar pushes the gums away from the teeth, forming pockets around them. The pocket is responsible for giving room for germs to grow and flourish. Unfortunately, if the problem is not treated on time, it affects all the surrounding teeth and the bone beneath them.
In addition to routine brushing and flossing, using dental care probiotics reduces your chances of developing cavities and gum disease. The supplements also reduce inflammation and strengthen the bones damaged by gum disease.
How are Oral Probiotics Taken?
Dental probiotics in the form of swallowable tablets aren’t always effective and are often not beneficial. Dental probiotics are more effective than gut probiotics when given directly to the mouth through chewable tablets, probiotic beverages, lozenges, and milk. While some kinds of toothpaste might contain dental probiotics, they are not always as reliable and effective as probiotics directly administered to the mouth.
Dental probiotics are available in several foods and drinks, including buttermilk, cottage, sauerkraut, and cheese. Increasing your intake of foods containing tooth-friendly bacteria can be helpful.
If you are not a fan of sauerkraut and other foods that boost good dental bacteria, you might need to take oral probiotics for younger children in the form of mouthwash or mints. After taking any supplement containing dental probiotics, do not eat or drink anything for at least 30 minutes.
Who Shouldn’t Take Dental Probiotics?
Since dental probiotics are full of microorganisms, they are not ideal for pregnant or breastfeeding women. People with immune system conditions should also refrain from taking dental probiotics. The same applies to people with weakened immune systems due to cancer treatment.
Dental probiotics should be accompanied by regular oral hygiene and visits to the dentist. This is particularly important as it allows you to get your dentist’s insight on what you should do to keep your teeth healthy and prevent tooth decay from taking root.
Conclusion
No matter how frequently you floss or brush your teeth, you might still have terrible breath. Dental care probiotics reduce bacteria in the mouth and fight the microorganisms that cause bad breath. Additionally, sinus infections, tonsil stones, and throat infections are majorly caused by harmful bacteria. If you routinely take probiotics, you might be able to prevent such diseases because the supplements strengthen your immune system and eliminate the germs that cause infections.
Dental probiotic supplements are still under trial as a way to prevent tooth decay. And although positive results are obtained from probiotics, the best way to avoid tooth decay is to keep a low frequency of refined sugar and thoroughly brush your teeth to reduce plaque load in the mouth.
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