Your mouth is full of bacteria, but don’t panic because your mouth contains both good and bad bacteria. The word bacteria strikes fear in many people because the perception of it is that its bad for you. Whilst this is partially true, you can control bad bacteria in your mouth now and replace it with good bacteria.
Let’s clarify the word Bacteria. The human body contains many microorganisms that help to digest foods, generate energy, maintain skin, protect you from disease and reduce bad microorganisms.
Good vs Bad Bacteria
Good bacteria acts as a protective layer to your cells to reduce bad bacteria to build up in the mouth because bad bacteria increases chances of multiplying to cause diseases. When your mouth contains good bacteria, your oral health is strong because your teeth stay healthy and your breath stays fresh.
Bad bacteria owe to certain food and drink you consume and a poor oral routine. When bad bacteria penetrates in the mouth, you’re at an increased risk of gingivitis, periodontal disease and tooth decay, not to mention bad breath. Bad bacteria can also thrive in low alkaline environments, such as plaque and tartar, which combines with bacteria to damage your enamel and cause cavities in your teeth.
Keep Bad Bacteria Away…
Bacteria naturally lands on the tongue and is the likely source of bad breath. Tongue scraping is the fastest way to remove food debris from the surface of your tongue because food debris causes bad odour substances. After you brush your teeth, perform tongue scraping shortly after and rinse your mouth.
Brush and Floss Your Teeth
Although it’s a basic part of oral hygiene, brushing and flossing your teeth is the most fundamental. It controls bacteria in your mouth by preventing unwanted oral conditions and diseases whilst keeping your mouth clean from food debris. By brushing and flossing your teeth, you’re keeping plaque levels low to protect teeth and gums.
Stay Hydrated
Stay hydrated not only clears bad bacteria in the mouth, but it adds extra protection to your mouth in the form of saliva. Saliva is generated from regular water consumption and certain foods that flush leftover food debris and bacteria. Consume water regularly throughout the day on its own or with a meal. You should also consider swishing your mouth with saltwater rinses to neutralize any bacteria in the mouth.
Replace Sugars With Plant and Protein Foods
Plant-based foods are a recent phenomenon. Its nutrients can help promote better oral health. Therefore, as part of a balanced diet, cut downs on both natural and processed sugars and acidic drinks such as sodas and replace them with fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lentils nuts and tofu. You can consume sugar as a treat now and then.
Stop Smoking
If you regularly smoke, you’re feeding bad bacteria in the mouth. Smoking also contributes to plaque and tartar. If you put out the cigarettes, you’re already on your way to boosting bacteria in the mouth.
Instead of attempting to kill bacteria, attempt to control bad bacteria in your mouth with a balance of good and bad bacteria. Controlling bad bacteria stems from consuming the right foods that are fresh. These foods will also allow for the production of saliva to keep your mouth clean. With this and performing strong oral hygiene, the good bacteria will remain in the mouth.
Is your oral health showing signs of decay? You need a check-up with us at Lotus Dental today. Contact us here to book an appointment with us!