Patients | What affects your oral biofilm ?
The diseases we have in the oral cavity are therefore influenced by the composition of the biofilm and therefore it is of crucial importance to take action where you can to improve it. Here you can read the most important things worth knowing about your biofilm in the oral cavity and what you can do yourself to improve the composition.
Biofilm is a multilayer coating of microorganisms and a binder that lies over the mucous membranes and teeth. The microorganisms are mainly bacteria, but also viruses and fungi. Up to 700 different types of bacteria are known to exist in the oral cavity, but only 100-200 different types in each person. The bacteria are divided into 3 main types, those that live best in oxygen-rich environments, those that live best in oxygen-poor environments, and those that can do both. The bacteria arrange themselves in the biofilm, depending on their properties.
The bacteria produce waste products from food, which settle on the surfaces of the teeth and gums. This is also called plaque.
Some of the bacteria are acid-forming and can break down sugar into acid that destroys the tooth enamel, causing caries, also known as “cavities”. If it is not stopped in time, the hole penetrates the nerve of the tooth and a root canal occurs.
The harmful bacteria on the surface of the gum line release substances that cause inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). If it is not stopped in time, the bone around the tooth will break down and you will develop periodontitis. It is a condition characterized by the gum pockets becoming deeper and deeper and becoming home to bacteria that live best in oxygen-poor conditions. These bacteria release substances that further break down the bone tissue, accelerating the whole process. Without treatment, the tooth will loosen and eventually be lost.
The oral cavity’s biofilm also plays an important role in the development of bad breath (halitosis), as bad breath is caused by sulfur vapors that are formed when some types of bacteria break down sulfur-containing amino acids into sulfur.
In addition to the active treatments that we describe on this website, there are 3 factors that affect the composition of your oral biofilm.
The first two factors that you cannot do much about are genetic factors and any other illness that you may suffer from. Typical examples of other illnesses that affect your oral cavity are diabetes, metabolic disorders or hormonal disorders. It is important that you are diagnosed with the illness that affects your general health and that you are under treatment. Once you have your illness under control, you can further improve your situation by doing something good for your body with your lifestyle.
The third factor is your lifestyle. You can influence this to a large extent, and therefore it is important that you know the factors that affect the bacterial composition in your biofilm.
Roughly speaking, you can say that it is your lifestyle, together with the first two factors mentioned, that has determined what biofilm you have at a given time in your life.
1. Maintain good oral hygiene and have regular check-ups with your dentist.
2. Eat a healthy diet with fiber, such as vegetables and fruit.
3. Cut down on sugar.
1. Medications you take.
2. Daily use of mouthwashes.
3. Additives in your diet, including artificial sweeteners.
4. Tobacco smoking.
5. Moderate to severe obesity.
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