Do you struggle with dental problems like bad breath or experience tooth infections? How about cavities and gum disease? Have you struggled with these problems more than you would like? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, you might have an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in your mouth. Did you know that probiotics can help restore good bacteria in your mouth and help improve your oral health? In this article, we'll discuss how you can benefit from using oral probiotics and what measures you can take to restore the good bacteria in your mouth.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide a wide range of health benefits when consumed in proper amounts. They are often associated with improving gut health, but research has shown that they can also improve oral health. By introducing good bacteria into your mouth, probiotics can help restore the balance of your oral microbiome which positively impacts your overall oral health.
Probiotics can be found in many different forms, including supplements, probiotic-rich foods, and probiotic mouthwash. Dental probiotics or oral probiotics, which are probiotics specifically designed for oral care, are one of the most effective ways to introduce good bacteria into your mouth. Streptococcus Salivarius, Lactobacillus Reuteri, Lactobacillus Paracasei, and Bifidobacterium Lactis are some of the best probiotic strains for balancing your oral microbiome.
If you’re suffering from bad breath or chronic halitosis, oral probiotics act like mini-soldiers providing front line defense to help defeat this problem. By introducing beneficial bacteria, they work to reduce the odor-causing bacteria, namely VSCs (Volatile Sulfur Compounds) responsible for bad breath.
Oral probiotics are also useful in improving your overall teeth and gum health. Owing to their unique properties they help prevent cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. According to a recent CDC report nearly half the US population suffers from periodontal disease and this is an increasing problem. Researchers found that this disease increases with age, 70.1% of adults 65 years and older have periodontal disease. Introducing oral probiotics in your oral care routine has been shown to reduce inflammation, stop gum bleeding, and help reduce gingivitis.
So how do you restore the good bacteria in your mouth and enjoy these benefits? Here are some science-based tips to get you started :
1. Eat a nutrient-rich diet
One of the best ways to introduce more good bacteria in your mouth is to eat more plant-based foods and fiber. The prebiotics found in these types of foods are literally “food“ for the good bacteria in your mouth. Foods like onions, leeks, Jerusalem artichokes, chicory root, apples, and flaxseeds are all high in prebiotics. Plus foods like green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, and cruciferous veggies like broccoli, kale, and cauliflower help promote the growth of good bacteria in your mouth. We know how important prebiotics are and that’s why we’ve included it in our list of ingredients.
2. Practice smart dental hygiene
Good oral hygiene is the foundation of good oral health — make sure to floss, brush twice a day, visit a dentist regularly and use a probiotic mouthwash. for example, Riven. Avoid toothpaste and oral care products that are harsh, contain detergents, alcohol, and artificial ingredients. Instead, using products that are specifically designed to increase the good bacteria in your mouth are the way to go.
3. Avoid smoking and alcohol
Binge drinking can significantly disrupt the diversity of your oral microbiome, which can enable the growth of harmful bacteria. Smoking can also harm the balance of the oral microbiome by disrupting saliva flow in the mouth. So, for the sake of your oral health and overall well-being, it's a good idea to quit smoking and limit your alcohol intake.
4. Approach oral health holistically
It may not seem obvious, but chronic stress, lack of exercise, and poor oral health can all be linked. An unhealthy, stressful lifestyle can lead to a decrease in saliva, which can affect the types of microorganisms in your mouth. Stress can also trigger dry mouth, loss of appetite, teeth grinding, and other issues that affect the mouth.
It is proven that managing stress and regular exercise can improve your overall health and strengthen your immune system. This can be done through activities such as yoga, meditation, and practicing mindfulness.
5. Stay away from antiseptic mouthwash
The bacteria in your mouth help produce a chemical called nitric oxide, which helps regulate your blood pressure. However, using an antiseptic mouthwash usually kills both good and bad bacteria. And once the good bacteria is damaged, it can no longer produce nitric oxide, which can lead to increased blood pressure and a variety of oral health problems. To counteract this, it is best to use an alcohol-free, probiotic mouthwash that contains natural ingredients.
To know more about oral probiotics and how they are beneficial to your oral health, you can check out these articles:
- An introduction to Oral Probiotics
- What does Probiotic Mouthwash Do?
- Perfect Oral Care in Ten Seconds
In conclusion, oral probiotics provide numerous benefits for your oral health by introducing good bacteria in your mouth. A balanced oral microbiome improves your overall oral health and helps prevent problems like tooth decay, bad breath, and gum disease. Although artificial ingredients and bad oral habits can lead to a variety of oral health issues, using oral probiotics and adopting healthy oral care habits can help restore this delicate balance.
