Dentist Shares How Many Germs Live On Your Teeth
From the minute you wake up to the minute you go to sleep, your teeth are almost always up to something. Whether it is nibbling, chomping, drinking or snogging, they get up to all sorts. So it is no wonder your mouth ends up filled with all sorts of germs, both good and bad.
Not all germs are bad for your teeth
“You of course can’t see them, but your mouth and your teeth are home to thousands of germs including fungus and bacteria in what is known as the oral microbiome,” Dr Sam Jethwa, Vice president of the British Association of Cosmetic Dentistry.
“While most of these tiny oral bacteria are actually helpful for our oral health, others can unfortunately lead to tooth decay and gum disease. With good oral care practices and a healthy diet, we can of course manage the levels of bacteria in your mouth to ensure a healthy smile,” he explained.
As you will have guessed, the bacteria can come from all sorts of sources. Even kissing a loved one goodbye can introduce different bacteria into the mouth, though you can rest assured you’re not likely to impact your teeth with a smooch.
The dentist added that tooth-straightening treatments like braces can also introduce more bacteria. Of course, there are several benefits for those who wear braces and their teeth are likely to be easier to keep clean in the long run, anyone with braces should be mindful of their dental care as the structure can ‘make it possible for harmful bacteria to thrive in hard-to-reach areas.’