Oral health
The importance of oral health goes beyond a nice smile.
What is oral health?
The term oral health refers to the health of your mouth, including your teeth, gums, tongue, and the rest of your oral cavity. Regular dental checkups, good hygiene practices, and a healthy diet are all essential for maintaining good oral health.
In addition to brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, regular dental checkups can identify any issues early on and prevent problems such as cavities, gingivitis and periodontitis.
Probiotics for oral health
Although most of us know that good oral hygiene practices are essential for maintaining good oral health, what is less known is the importance of probiotics.
Probiotics are most commonly associated with gut health where probiotics support the digestive tract and immune system and colonize the gut with beneficial bacteria. Besides gut health, probiotics also support oral health by promoting healthy bacteria in the mouth. A balanced oral microbiota can reduce the risk of oral health issues.
How probiotics support oral health
There are millions of bacteria in the mouth. Some of these are beneficial, while others can be harmful. Poor oral health can result from an imbalanced microbiota, which is caused by the presence of too many harmful bacteria compared to beneficial bacteria. Studies have shown that certain probiotics can help reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth.
Certain probiotics can also reduce inflammation in the mouth. Inflammation is a natural response to an imbalanced microbiota or oral injury, but chronic inflammation can lead to a host of health problems, including poor oral health.
Last but not least, probiotics can help reduce bad breath, which is often caused by the buildup of harmful bacteria. This build-up often produces foul-smelling compounds like sulfur in the mouth.
