How Do Probiotics Help Gum Health?

Our bodies have different types of bacteria. These bacteria are responsible for proper food digestion and maintaining optimal intestinal health. Furthermore, these bacteria help in combating diseases and fortifying our immune system. However, not all the bacteria in our bodies are useful. For example, if you have gum disease, harmful bacteria may be the culprit. Therefore, after visiting the dentist near you, they may recommend probiotics to help improve your gum health. This piece will provide you with vital information about probiotics and how they’re beneficial to your gum and oral health.

What Are Probiotics?

Probiotics are a mixture of live useful bacteria and yeasts found in our bodies. These live bacteria and yeasts are usually regarded as germs that can be harmful to your body, but that’s not the case. This is because your body contains good and bad bacteria, and probiotics are the latter.

It is essential to note that you can increase probiotics in your body through supplements, foods, and drinks. However, you should consult with the Auburn dentist if you need probiotics to improve your gum health. This is because many probiotic supplements are on the market today, and consulting with a dentist is imperative.

Now that you know what probiotics are, what causes the increase of harmful bacteria in your mouth, leading to gum disease? Some of the causes include:

Dry mouth- saliva is essential in fighting harmful bacteria. Moreover, saliva helps wash away food debris left stuck between teeth. Unfortunately, certain medicines can hinder the secretion of saliva, leaving you with a dry mouth. A dry mouth creates a conducive environment for harmful bacteria.

A weak immune system- having a weakened immune system can cause an imbalance of bacteria in your mouth, leading to more harmful bacteria in your mouth.

Your genetic makeup- your genetic makeup may affect your bacteria composition, making your body have more harmful bacteria than useful ones.

Poor oral hygiene- if you don’t brush twice and floss once daily, food debris stuck between your teeth will fuel the growth of harmful bacteria. Additionally, it would be best if you went for regular checkup in the dental clinic in Auburn for plaque and tartar removal that can cause gum disease.

What Are the Benefits of Probiotics In Gum Health?

• Helps in the management of gingivitis- the first stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis, which leads to the inflammation of gums due to harmful bacteria that cause the build-up of plaque and tartar. Research shows that oral probiotics help reduce the symptoms of gingivitis and plaque reduction.
• Prevents plaque- a strain of bacteria: A12 can help fight harmful bacteria that turn sugar into lactic acid, causing enamel erosion and plaque.
• Decreases gum inflammation caused by gingivitis- a study in 2007 showed that people who consumed supplements of probiotics had reduced inflammation. Moreover, researchers have also found that taking probiotic milk reduces oral inflammation.

What Are the Dietary Sources of Probiotics

Although it might be easier to take probiotics in the form of supplements, there are several foods that contain probiotics. Some of the foods include:

Sauerkraut- this fermented cabbage contains lactic acid bacteria, which prevents tooth decay. Moreover, lactic acid in sauerkraut promotes healthy teeth and prevents gum disease.

Kefir- this is fermented milk from kefir grains. The milk is rich in magnesium, protein, calcium, and phosphorus, among many other nutrients. In addition, Kefir milk contains lactobacillus bacteria which inhibits tooth decay-causing bacteria. This makes Kefir a more potent probiotic than yogurt.

Yogurt- eating yogurt helps reduce the growth rate of harmful bacteria in your mouth, preventing gum disease. In addition, the live and active cultures found in yogurt help improve the health of gum tissues.

Pickles- these are cucumbers preserved in a solution of water and salt. The cucumbers are left to ferment, making them sour. Cucumbers preserved through this method are a great source of probiotic bacteria that helps prevent tooth decay and fight plaque.

Conclusion

Untreated gum disease leads to periodontitis, a more complex disease to treat. Therefore, if you suspect that you have this disease, visit Sunrise Dental of Auburn as soon as possible. Our dental professional will perform an oral exam and recommend the most suitable treatment. Furthermore, the dentist will recommend the most suitable oral probiotics to keep your gums and teeth in optimal oral health.