Probiotics – Are They Good for Oral Health?

Probiotics are often suggested to us for improving our gut health. However, according to some recent research, probiotics can be beneficial even for oral health. Oral probiotics are yet to receive approval from Food and Drug Administration, U.S. But more and more studies are showing that they can be really helpful in improving our overall oral health. Many dentists in Oklahoma City are recommending that probiotics be used in preventive care. Here are a few potential benefits that probiotics can have on our oral health.

Prevention of halitosis:

One of the most common oral problems that many of us face is having bad breath. We often feel embarrassed because of having bad breath. No matter how many times we brush our teeth or use mouthwash, the irritating smell keeps coming back.

The root cause of bad breath can be bacteria in our mouth or our stomach. A study has been conducted where a number of patients have taken probiotic supplements along with using antibacterial mouthwash. It has shown significant improvement in oral smell.

Prevention of Plaque:

The bacteria Streptococcus mutans is responsible for turning sugar into lactic acid inside our mouths. The production of acid can lead to tooth decay and be the reason for cavities. Cavities can be so serious that we may need to take the help of an emergency dentist.

Dentists recommend us probiotics such as A12 to incorporate the good bacteria that fight against the bacteria causing plaque. So, when we take probiotics on a regular basis, we can prevent the decay of our teeth by reducing the production of harmful bacteria in our mouth.

Managing gum diseases:

Many of us experience different types of gum problems such as inflamed gum, sore gum or gingivitis etc. These problems are mostly caused by bacterial infections. Even when we brush daily, or wash our mouth with antibiotic mouthwash, the problem tends to persist. A small dose of probiotics on a daily basis can keep away the harmful bacteria and help with gum problems so that we do not need to visit an emergency dentist in OKC.

Sources of probiotics:

We can obviously take probiotic supplements that are available over the counter. However, we can also improve our gut and oral health by incorporating some food items that have probiotics. Foods like yogurt, sourdough bread, cheese, dill pickles etc. are great sources of naturally available probiotics. If you have questions about oral health, you can contact us, the famous dentist in Oklahoma City, at Comprehensive Family Dentistry.

**Disclaimer: This content is not a professional dental or medical advice and does not imply a relationship between patient and care provider or the doctors.