A haven for bacteria

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  Posted by: Dental Design      8th August 2023

The mouth, the ‘gateway to the body’, is home to around 700 species of bacteria.[i] This environment, or the ‘oral microbiome’, provides the perfect conditions for these microorganisms in the oral cavity. Understanding how this bacterium thrives is crucial in understanding how bad breath develops.

Bad breath is common among the world’s population, and is the result of changes within the oral microbiome. This may be due to a range of causes, such as diet, medication and hygiene habits. When patients are well-informed on what causes the bacteria in their mouth to trigger unpleasant odour, they can take the steps needed to reduce it.

The perfect environment

The oral cavity is considered to hold the second largest microbiome in the body, after the gut.i Bacteria thrives throughout the architecture in the mouth, including areas like the saliva, teeth, sulcus, gingiva, tongue, cheeks and the soft and hard palate.[ii] Each area houses a diverse community of microbes – comprised of both ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria. The careful equilibrium of the oral microbiome, once disturbed, can be thrown out of balance, thus contributing to disease like caries and periodontitis (two other potential causes of bad breath).[iii]Research postulates that the bacterial activity that gives rise to bad breath is more likely to occur in the gingival crevices and periodontal pockets,[iv] but can also occur on the dorsal area of the tongue,iv which may explain why some patients with good oral hygiene experience bad breath.

It’s believed the agents that encourage the development of bad breath include volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs), which are responsible for the foul smell of bad breath.iv They’re waste that anaerobic bacteria of the mouth excrete once they have digested proteins – which they find in any food debris left in the mouth, particularly protein-rich foods like meats, dairy, grains and eggs. Even stress has been shown to influence concentrations of VSCs, whereby the adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol hormones ‘moderate the growth of periodontopathogenic micro-organisms’ and VSC production.[v]

The oral microbiome is a vital component to our health and despite the presence of bad bacteria, a healthy, balanced mouth contributes to a healthy body. For instance, research suggests that a positive symbiosis between the host and the oral microbiome: supports the host’s defence functions; regulates the cardiovascular system; maintains a healthy digestive tract; and offers resistance to pathogenetic colonisation.[vi] As such, it’s vital that patients are aware of what they need to do in order to protect their oral cavity, and keep a careful balance of the good and bad bacteria.

Education is king

There is much that influences the condition of the oral microbiome, from medication to alcohol consumption, smoking, post nasal drip, diet and, of course, poor oral hygiene. Our modern way of living means that more than ever before, our way of life is threatening our oral health, and the bacteria that resides in the mouth. The dental team must be vigilant when aiding patients, providing guidance and making recommendations where necessary to help them keep oral complications at bay. With the right information, patients who are suffering from bad breath can alter their diet and certain behaviours to help re-establish a healthy oral environment. As there are many different causes of bad breath, a tailored approach is needed to ensure each patient receives the right advice. Despite this, all patients must understand the importance of good oral hygiene, not just in the fight against bad breath but also to prohibit other oral complications.

As you know, brushing twice daily with a fluoridated toothpaste and regular interdental cleaning is the gold standard method of keeping the oral cavity clean and healthy. Additionally, a high quality mouthwash can supplement this regimen, as an extra step to fortify the mouth against the unpleasant symptoms of bad breath. For example, The Breath Co oral rinses are dentist-formulated to help fight the bacteria that cause bad breath. The pH-balancing, alcohol-free formula leaves no harsh afterburn, and is clinically shown to fight bad breath for 24 hours, when used every 12 hours after brushing and flossing. It’s easy to fit into your patients’ oral hygiene routines and provides a pleasant freshness.

Stay in harmony

The oral cavity is home to a diverse environment of bacteria, one that can be all too easily influenced by our habits. With the right help, your patients will recognise what behaviours are likely to trigger bad breath, and can take the steps to adequately protect their oral cavity.

For more information about The Breath Co,

please visit http://www.thebreathco.com/

Anne Symons is  a Dental Hygienist currently working in a Specialist  Periodontal/implant practice and also a busy NHS surgery. She has previously worked in a Max Fax unit, and also taught Oral Health  care to staff in Nursing and Residential  homes. Anne is also a Professional Educator for Waterpik.

[i] Deo, P.N. and Deshmukh, R. (2019). Oral microbiome: Unveiling the fundamentals. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology : JOMFP, [online] 23(1), pp.122–128. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6503789/ [Accessed 28 Apr. 2023].

[ii] Benn, A., Heng, N., Broadbent, J. and Thomson, W. (2017). Studying the human oral microbiome: challenges and the evolution of solutions. Australian Dental Journal, [online] 63(1), pp.14–24. Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/adj.12565[Accessed 28 Apr. 2023].

[iii] Gao, L., Xu, T., Huang, G., Jiang, S., Gu, Y. and Chen, F. (2018). Oral microbiomes: more and more importance in oral cavity and whole body. Protein & Cell, [online] 9(5), pp.488–500. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5960472/ [Accessed 2 May 2023].

[iv] Porter, S.R. and Scully, C. (2006). Oral malodour (halitosis). BMJ, [online] 333(7569), pp.632–635. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1570844/ [Accessed 2 May 2023].

[v] Calil, C.M., Oliveira, G.M., Cogo, K., Pereira, A.C., Marcondes, F.K. and Groppo, F.C. (2014). Effects of stress hormones on the production of volatile sulfur compounds by periodontopathogenic bacteria. Brazilian Oral Research, [online] 28(1), pp.1–8. Available at: https://www.scielo.br/j/bor/a/hGDnNLLXyfD5vL5NfPs7D3k/?format=html&lang=en [Accessed 2 May 2023].

[vi] Kilian, M., Chapple, I.L.C., Hannig, M., Marsh, P.D., Meuric, V., Pedersen, A.M.L., Tonetti, M.S., Wade, W.G. and Zaura, E. (2016). The oral microbiome – an update for oral healthcare professionals. British Dental Journal, [online] 221(10), pp.657–666. Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/sj.bdj.2016.865 [Accessed 2 May 2023].

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