Oral Bacteria: What Lives In Your Mouth?
Wendy J. Woudstra
This article is kind of scary in a way. The author Woudstra informs us that we can't feel, see or taste the hundreds of bacteria in our mouth. There are 700 hundred types of microorganisms that have been found in the human mouth. Within these 700 hundred types there are 34 to 72 different varieties that live within the mouth. "Most of these bacterial species appear to be harmless when it comes to our health. Others, known as probiotics, are beneficial bacteria that aid in the digestion of foods. Other bacteria actually protect our teeth and gums. There are some bacteria, however, that we'd rather do without, since they cause tooth decay and gum disease." Like with most microbes some don't do anything, some are good and some are bad. I feel that in this case it is worse to have the bad ones at all because they cause tooth decay and gum disease which people can see just talking to you. Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis are the two most common found bacteria in mouth. The ways to avoid getting an oral bacteria with good oral care. Flossing and brushing are big ones but also watching the foods that you eat will help.
This article was very well organized and was very easy to follow. I do feel that the author may be a little biased to the subject because I did find it on Colgate. The author was not creating a horrific picture like some biased authors might but she did let us know how it could affect us in bad ways.
The questions I would have would be how easy is it to get a oral bacteria? I would also like to know how big a colony of bacteria would have to be to create an oral bacteria?
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