If you suffer with oral health problems such as bad breath or dental plaque, you may feel cautious about showing your smile in public. These problems can often be aggravated by activities such as eating sugary foods. This is because every time we eat, food debris in combination with the bacteria already present in our mouth, can form a thin, transparent and sticky substance known as biofilm, also known as dental plaque.
What is biofilm?
Biofilm can be found throughout nature, for example, slime on a rock, or around the stems of cut flowers. It is the culmination of millions of complex microorganisms which build up on top of each other, layer upon layer, to form a film over natural surfaces, secreting glue-like substances to anchor them in place.
In dentistry, this biofilm affects our teeth, cheeks, gums and tongue. It is especially hard to remove on teeth due to the complexity of its structure, making it less susceptible to antibiotics and disinfectants. This is why a daily oral health routine is essential: it prevents the build-up from forming in the first place.
Oral biofilm is formed through a cluster of bacterial cells attaching themselves to the surface of the tooth. If this isn’t removed with regular brushing and flossing, it then starts producing a gooey matrix, before the cells signal one another to multiply and form a microcolony. There are many chemical reactions occurring between the cells and several species can thrive side by side, often feeding on each other’s metabolic waste.
Researchers have identified specific species of ‘bad’ bacteria found biofilm, one example being streptococcus mutans which consumes sugar in the mouth and turns it into acid, which causes tooth decay. Problems occur because the bacteria in the biofilm live in a finely tuned habitat and their complex processes mean that any slight disturbance can encourage the development of gingivitis and periodontitis.
There is also evidence to suggest according to the National Institute of Health that “Bacteria from the oral biofilms may be aspirated into the respiratory tract to influence the initiation and progression of systemic infectious conditions such as pneumonia,” so it can have a wider impact on your health. This is an area of research which is continuing to develop, but knowing how to prevent tooth decay ensures that biofilm can’t develop and take over your mouth, causing disease.
Six ways to a healthy smile
Worried about bad bacteria? Don’t be! Here is a six step plan to prevent any of those nasties settling down in your mouth.
Follow these tips for a healthy smile –
1. Brush your teeth twice daily using a toothbrush suited to your dentition and a toothpaste with anti-bacterial ingredients such as triclosan and Fluoride. Brushing the teeth for at least two minutes will disrupt the biofilm and reduce damage caused by plaque by-products. Focus on brushing the gum line as plaque biofilm can develop in tooth fissures as well.
2. Avoid snacking in between meals if possible as this creates a spike in acid in your mouth (particularly if you eat food that is high in sugar) which can cause plaque build-up and increase cavities.
3. Rinse with an antibacterial fluoride mouthwash preferably twice daily to strengthen the enamel of your teeth.
4. Floss and use a tongue scraper. Floss will clean the parts of your teeth your toothbrush can’t and scraping your tongue can remove plaque on the tongue, a major cause of smelly breath.
5. Visit a dentist regularly for a professional clean to get rid of all the biofilm you can’t reach yourself.
6. Be sure to show off your fresh feeling smile!
Yours in oral health,
