The Oral Microbiome: It’s a Zoo In There!

We all know that we’re supposed to do a couple of fundamental things to keep our mouths happy and healthy, like brushing our teeth properly, flossing regularly, and getting those all-important regular dental check-ups.

But have you ever wondered why exactly we have to do this laundry list of tasks to make sure our smiles are the best that they can be? What are we trying to get rid of?

It’s because of the oral microbiome: it’s a zoo in there!

First, let’s define what oral microbiome means. A biome is a habitat for something, like a forest or a desert in a geographical sense. But in a healthcare sense, it means an environment where certain things thrive; for example, the microorganisms that exist inside our mouth!

Microorganisms can be defined as living things that are “so small it must be viewed with a microscope”.

But does that necessarily mean that there are animals growing inside your mouth that are just super duper small?! Not exactly. The type of microorganisms we’re talking about that make the mouth their home are usually bacteria and sometimes viruses. There’s a mini little biome– or environmental setting– inside of everyone’s mouths where these microorganisms live.

But there’s no need to panic: everyone has an oral microbiome and there’s a certain amount (and certain types) of microorganisms that are normal for people to have. With over 700 species of bacteria, the mouth actually has the most microbial diversity after the gut!

The mouth is a perfect “biome” for some microorganisms, given that it’s a mix of hard and soft with both teeth and gum as prospective environments for them to thrive. It’s also a highly complex place with a mix of microbes that are highly specialized to the mouth.

Another side of the oral microbiome is that there are actually mini “local communities” of different microorganisms in the mouth that stick to certain areas and have certain functions. For example, different organisms were found in distinct areas like the palate of the mouth and the tonsils, tongue and throat area.

These oral organisms actually help humans out in different ways. For instance, they actually are the first part of the digestion process in breaking down food for the body’s absorption. They’re also able to help us from getting sick. Since microorganisms work together, there’s a certain level of defence they can provide from “invading bodies”—germs that can cause illness or other complications. But when microorganisms are unbalanced in a condition called “dysbiosis”, your likelihood of diseases like Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and pancreatic cancer can go up.

Sometimes this system can get unbalanced, though: “resident bacteria” in the oral microbiome for example, can end up leading to cavities. They thrive on dental plaque and can lead to other oral health problems, which is why consistent oral care is so important to make sure these types of bacteria in the mouth don’t go unchecked.

Now that we know a little more about what goes on inside the mouth, the truth is all the more clear: it’s incredibly important that we make sure the zoo inside our mouths is as happy as possible!

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