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MICROBIOME IN MY MOUTH:
WHY DO I NEED TO KNOW?
by Dr. Marilyn C. Sandor, DDS, MS
n a form sophisticated layers. Regarding those to the basics with a diet consisting of less
microscopic layers on your teeth, you might recall processed foods, reduces the sticky, clingy
Olevel, the hearing the term plaque? When the plaque carbs sources for the bad bacteria. Drinking
microbiome is the biofilm forms on teeth, cavities can occur if plain water helps control and keep neutral
population of all the the bad, acid producing players outnumber salivary pH, which again is not what the
tiny things that live the good players. bad bacteria like. Lastly, consider taking
in and on your body. Until now, very little was known about probiotics and chewing xylitol gum. This
There are thousands the actual composition and structure of the will promote more good bacteria and move
of different species plaque biofilm. All that we seemed to know you toward a microbiome in harmony.
of tiny things, such was that the less plaque a person had on Watch for exciting technological
as bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites and their teeth, the less likely it was that they’d advancements in the dental industry,
more, living in harmony in a healthy person. get a cavity. However, there was always especially in the areas of diagnostics and
Furthermore, there are different microbiome someone out there that didn’t get cavities, prevention.
populations that thrive in different places. despite hardly brushing. With the advent From home, using your own phone, you
One such place is inside your mouth! of new diagnostic methods, we’re gaining a can now have an Artificial Intelligence at
While at first this might seem scary, much better understanding why this could home dental screenings and get a report on
remember not all bugs are bad. Good happen. where you might have plaque buildup or
organisms can and do work to help you. For It turns out that not only does the tooth decay!
example, there are actually good bacteria recommendation to keep your teeth clean At the dental office, there are new
that help to digest food. Some even actively have basis, the recommendation of having ways to have your teeth cleaned with a
help keep the bad ones a healthy diet is also proving to be true. It special biofilm removing process that uses
away, like those is now known that healthy diets lead to a natural sugar that the bad players cannot
responsible for healthier, non-damaging metabolize! See, learning a little about
causing cavities, bacteria, i.e. less acid microbiomes will give you something to
bad breath releasing bacteria, that are smile about!
and gum responsible for making Interested in knowing more about AI
disease! holes in teeth! or removing biofilm? Please contact
These So what can you do Dr. Sandor and her experienced team. They’ll be
microbiome now to promote a healthy excited to tell you more. 239-592-0800
ecosystems microbiome? Going back
DENTAL SELF EXAM NOW AVAILABLE AT: goodcheckup.toothlens.com
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Life in Naples | May/June/July 2023 43