Probiotics
and Oral Health
The reason we are told to brush twice a day, floss,
use mouthwash and get regular dental checkups is because our gums and teeth are
at risk for serious decay and damage due to bad bacteria. Oral diseases are on
the rise, and the latest statistics show that 80 percent of Americans over 30
have gingivitis, tooth decay, cavities or periodontitis (destruction or loss of
bone structure and teeth).
Streptococcus salivarius is the main “good-guy” bacteria
in the mouth, and its job is to keep Streptococcus mutans (bad-guy) bacteria in
check so that it does not colonize the surface of the teeth and break down
enamel.
Beat Bad Bacteria
The good bacteria found in probiotics enter the body
and work to overcrowd bad bacteria. There are places in your mouth and gut
called adherence sites where bacteria are able to attach and begin to grow. If
good bacteria reach those adherence sites first, there is less room for bad
bacteria.
Probiotics for Oral Health
There are several companies producing a variety of
probiotic products for oral health. I’m talking about more than just toothpaste
and mouthwash (even though those are included). Not to mention, the line of
probiotics available is expanding beyond human consumption…
Probiotic Gum –
An example is TheraBreath Aktiv-K12 (www.therabreath.com),
which not only provides fresh breath but actually obliterates those bad-odor
bacteria.
Probiotic Mints –Try
Profresh Mints (www.profreshmints.com)
for fresh breath, white teeth and healthy gums and teeth. The mint includes a
patented blend of three primary good bacteria: Streptococcus oralis KJ3, Streptococcus uberis KJ2 and Streptococcus rattus JH145.
These good bacteria cause the bad guys to clump and stick to teeth, which makes
them easy to brush, floss and rinse away. Also check out their line of kids’
chewable probiotics and probiotic powder for your pets’ oral health.
Probiotic Lozenges –
A study in the Journal of Oral Microbiology found probiotic lozenges may reduce
bad bacteria in the mouth if you have chronic periodontitis (most common gum
disease). To decrease bleeding gums and build protection against plaque, check
out GUM PerioBalance (www.periobalance.com).
Probiotic Toothpaste –
While probiotic toothpaste is rather new in the U.S., it has been around for
years in other countries. Two brands to look for are OMX Toothpaste and Designs
for Health’s PerioBiotic Toothpaste.
Probiotic Mouthwash –
In Sweden, a study determined using probiotic mouthwash actually reduced the
amount of bad bacteria in your upper respiratory tract, ultimately reducing
your chance of respiratory-related pneumonia. Check out Compete50 Probiotic
Mouthwash or KForce Balance Rinse for starters.
Our mindsets are morphing from “all bacteria is bad”
to understanding the differences between good and bad bacteria and how
probiotics can actually work to protect us from illness and disease. Although
the main focus of probiotic products is concentrated on the digestive tract and
gastrointestinal health, other studies and products are surfacing, such as the
oral health aids I just mentioned.
Probiotics are rapidly becoming more available and
more prominent in the U.S. as our knowledge of their potential benefits
increases. On a global scale, it is predicted that by 2014, the global
probiotics market will be worth $32.6 billion.
**Please Note: Always consult your physician before
adding a supplement — including probiotics — to your diet.
Be sure to check out the oral products
you just read about, as the probiotics can only serve to beneficially
supplement your health. To ease your way into using probiotics, I suggest
starting with a probiotic mint such as Profresh Mints. Get the benefits of probiotics
in a single daily mint (http://www.profreshmints.com/).
Use coupon
code “challa” to get 25% off.
Dr. Shekhar Challa is a board certified
Gastroenterologist, Co-producer of probiotic video game Microwarriors: The
Battle Within, and author of the new book Probiotics for Dummies. www.drchalla.com.
