You might already know that probiotics are essentially good bacteria, which is why they can improve dental health by introducing good bacteria to the mouth, which can then fight against the harmful bacteria, and subsequently reduce inflammation. Besides, probiotics are great for preventing certain dental issues, such as cavities and periodontal disease.
Read on to learn more about how probiotics can improve dental health.
What Are Dental Health Probiotics – An Overview
Let us discuss first what dental health probiotics are before we explore how these good bacteria can improve dental health and fight specific dental-related illnesses. You should know that probiotics are essentially “good” microorganisms, such as Lactobacillus.
When consumed, these good bacteria can promote a healthy oral microbiome, which can further prove great for the prevention and management of certain teeth-related conditions, such as caries and periodontal illnesses. Dental health probiotics work by inhibiting harmful oral bacteria and shifting the balance of the ecosystem inside the mouth while supporting the growth of good bacteria. The goal of dental health probiotics is to maintain a healthy oral ecosystem.
How do Probiotics Support Oral Health
Now that you know what dental probiotics are about, let us explore the various ways probiotics support oral health.
Maintain A Healthy Balance
Probiotics can support a healthy oral balance by introducing good bacteria, which then compete with the harmful bacteria while producing antimicrobial compounds that help reduce inflammatory processes and neutralize harmful sulfur compounds that can cause bad breath. It would not be wrong to state that dental health probiotics can improve the oral environment by making it less favorable for teeth-damaging bacteria.
Form Protective Lining
Dental probiotics can form a protective lining in the oral cavity, which can then effectively compete with bad bacteria for nutrients and space, thereby further helping to prevent pathogens from colonizing tissues and teeth. This aspect benefits the oral environment by straining bacteria while helping to maintain a healthy oral microbiota.
When it comes to the formation of protective lining, you should know that probiotics adhere to the dental pellicles and the mucosal surfaces to create a protective biofilm, which then acts as a physical barrier. Subsequently, by colonizing these surfaces, probiotics effectively outcompete the harmful bacteria for resources and potential attachment sites, which is how dental probiotics prevent harmful bacteria from establishing and colonizing themselves.
Potential Benefits of Dental Health Probiotics
Now, let us talk about the potential benefits of dental health probiotics. You should know that dental probiotics are great for decreasing the potential risk of cavities by inhibiting the cavity-causing bacteria. Subsequently, dental health probiotics are great for enhancing the overall gum health, which in turn can help prevent and manage periodontal disease, such as gingivitis. Dental health probiotics are also excellent for decreasing bad breath. Rest assured, dental health probiotics can also help prevent other mouth-related infections, such as tonsillitis.
Nonetheless, it is important to know that you should only use dental health probiotics as a supplement instead of their replacement, which means that even when using dental health probiotics, you must stick to regular hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth daily.
