Hopefully, you practice a daily oral hygiene routine that involves brushing and flossing twice a day. If you are diligent about keeping your teeth and gums healthy, you might also employ other devices designed to remove plaque and tartar, such as a Waterpik or anti-gingivitis mouthwash, for example. But we have another suggestion to promote your good oral health, and it’s one you might not have considered before: probiotics.
When you think of probiotics that are often found in products such as yogurt, soy, sourdough bread and kefir, for example, you probably assume that those products promote good digestive health. Most of us have seen the television commercials and other advertisements that promote these products as a good way to keep our digestive tracts active. While that is true, you should know that they also play a key role in good oral health.
If you have a fondness for foods containing probiotics, we have good news for you! Yogurt, sourdough bread, sauerkraut and other probiotic foods also promote good oral health. Here are some of the ways your teeth and gums will benefit from probiotics:
- Probiotics encourage the growth of healthy bacteria that fights that bad bacteria present in your mouth. This, in turn, helps to reduce inflammation and gingivitis.
- Probiotics destroy the foul gases produced by bacteria, which means they fight bad breath.
- The good bacteria that is encouraged to grow by probiotics works to boost your immune system, and that helps to protect you from illness and infection.
- Probiotics help to remineralize your teeth.
- Probiotics work to balance the pH level inside your mouth, reducing dry mouth and promoting a normal and healthy flow of saliva.
- Researchers have found that some probiotics that contain Lactobacillus Reuteri actually destroy Streptococcus mutans, which is the bacteria that causes tooth decay.
If you thought that probiotics were just for good digestion, think again! The ingredients in these wonder foods have been shown to encourage your good oral health as well. Here’s another important reminder with regard to probiotic foods: if you are currently on any form of antibiotics, it’s especially important to indulge in probiotics since they replace good bacteria that might be destroyed by the antibiotic.
If you practice a daily oral hygiene regimen, you should remember to add probiotic foods to your diet on a regular basis as well. What a delicious way to improve your oral health!