The funny thing about living organisms is that they have preferences, including the microbes that live in your mouth. Some bacteria tend to cling to your teeth and along your gum line, while others prefer to linger on the surface of your tongue, or just underneath it. Often, however, these preferences mean little if oral bacteria are given the chance to travel beyond their natural habitat. When your gums or other oral tissues are diseased and bleeding, bacteria that naturally inhabit the mouth can be released into your bloodstream and spread throughout your body.
The Natures of Oral Bacteria
Experts have identified over 600 different kinds of oral bacteria, each with their own unique characteristics. When they accumulate, they form the biofilm called dental plaque, which covers and protects the germs as they multiply. Inadequate hygiene can allow bacterial plaque to overwhelm your mouth, and in excesses, oral germs can lead to destructive issues like tooth decay and gum disease. Other microbes, while harmless in your mouth, can prove dangerous to other tissues throughout the body.
Disturbing Behavior
As far as your oral-systemic health is concerned (the relationship between your oral and physical health), Porphyromonas gingivalis is one of the most notable. Informally referred to as the gum disease germ, it causes the rampant swelling of gum disease by manipulating your immune system’s inflammatory response. Inside the body, unchecked tissue swelling can exacerbate your risks of inflammatory conditions, such as heart disease, heart attack, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and dementia, to name just a few.
The Path Less Travelled
How do germs pass from your mouth into your body? As gum disease settles in your gums, inflammation can destroy the gums and jawbone that support your teeth, making the infection the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the US. If they’re bleeding, then biting, chewing, and brushing and flossing your teeth can propel oral germs into your bloodstream through the compromised tissues. Practicing good hygiene and sticking to your six-month dental checkup and cleaning schedule will help you keep your mouth clean and disease-free, reducing your risk of tooth loss and the other complications of poor oral health.
About Downey Family & Cosmetic Dentistry:
Dr. Hadis Reyhani, Dr. Ben Reyhani, and Dr. Pasha Hakimzadeh, DDS, provide a wealth of combined experience, along with innovative technology and personalized care, to help improve our patients’ dental health and function and help them enjoy smiling again. To schedule a consultation, call Downey Family Cosmetic Dentistry today at (562) 472-2433.
