Where do mouth bacteria come from and why can't we exterminate them?

FutileBreadMachine · 11 Apr 2011 at 17:37

I keep forgetting to ask my dentist this when I go there. Where do the bacteria that cause tooth cavities come from? Like when a baby is born, how do they get the bacteria that live in our mouths and cause us to have to brush our teeth every day?

I assume they are a special species of bacteria, and not any old bacteria the live on door handles, stair railings etc. Also, why can't we kill them completely with mouth wash for example? When we use mouth wash, shouldn't that kill them all so the potential for plaque is removed? I assume that somehow they can hide in the gaps between our teeth and then they multiply again once the mouth rinse has gone.

Darg · 11 Apr 2011 at 17:38

Food?

arknor · 11 Apr 2011 at 17:39

maybe the conditions inside your mouth are just right for bacteria to grow and most food has bacteria?

hux · 11 Apr 2011 at 17:41

Your body produces them in the saliva i believe, the plaque is produced from the breakdown of sugars which they secrete an acid that rots yer teeth out.

First thing i noticed from eating no sugar is how good my teeth felt.

The bacteria id imagine is necessary.

FutileBreadMachine · 11 Apr 2011 at 17:41

I know there are bacteria on practically everything, I am wondering if the bacteria in our mouths are a special type, since as I understand it, they excrete acid which causes damage to enamel. I don't think all bacteria excrete this acid.

arknor · 11 Apr 2011 at 17:49

hux said:
Your body produces them in the saliva i believe, the plaque is produced from the breakdown of sugars which they secrete an acid that rots yer teeth out.

First thing i noticed from eating no sugar is how good my teeth felt.

The bacteria id imagine is necessary.

bake beans on toast always make me teeth feel clean

Stupot_ · 11 Apr 2011 at 18:06

Maybe I'm being stupid here... But your mouth is a hole. Therefore stuff can get in.

stinamoo · 11 Apr 2011 at 18:14

*deleted*

aardvark · 11 Apr 2011 at 19:13

Stupot_ said:
Maybe I'm being stupid here... But your mouth is a hole. Therefore stuff can get in.

yep, and bacteria are everywhere!!

your body has more bacteria cells on/in it than human cells - you can't get rid of them, and you shouldn't.

Destination · 11 Apr 2011 at 20:52

Bacteria are everywhere.
The ones that cuase tooth decay make acid in response to sugary conditions, avoid too many sugar frequencies and foodtraps and you'll never get tooth decay.
Tartar/made out of plaque is a more complicated situation, but adequate cleaning of all surfaces of teeth (assuming no foodtraps) should remove plaque and minimise tartar buildup.

Many many years ago, there was a trial innoculation designed against the bacteria which cause tooth decay, unfortunately in testing it was demonstrated to cross react with heart valves, destroying them, thus we can't have a jab tomake us immune to oral decay, the process would prett much slap up down to death.

Your entire gut tract is full of bugs, in fact withoutthem the small intestine couldn't break certain foodstuffs down, the bugs themselves are not the problem, but feeding them too much fermentable sugars is.
Eat meals, don't snack, drink only water between meals, and have any desert immediately after a meal, while brushing with a fluorid toothpaste and cleaning properly between the teeth and you can avoid most dental conditions.

bitslice · 11 Apr 2011 at 21:00

Put a UV lightbulb in your mouth for 30 minutes after every meal,
it kills bacteria.

You may look a little silly, best perform procedure in private

Tefal · 11 Apr 2011 at 21:05

RationalGaze said:
I keep forgetting to ask my dentist this when I go there. Where do the bacteria that cause tooth cavities come from? Like when a baby is born, how do they get the bacteria that live in our mouths and cause us to have to brush our teeth every day?

I assume they are a special species of bacteria, and not any old bacteria the live on door handles, stair railings etc. Also, why can't we kill them completely with mouth wash for example? When we use mouth wash, shouldn't that kill them all so the potential for plaque is removed? I assume that somehow they can hide in the gaps between our teeth and then they multiply again once the mouth rinse has gone.

fun fact 1/3 of your poop (by weight) is bacteria

PapaLazaru · 11 Apr 2011 at 21:05

34. No fillings. :cool:

Tefal · 11 Apr 2011 at 21:05

bitslice said:
Put a UV lightbulb in your mouth for 30 minutes after every meal,
it kills bacteria.

You may look a little silly, best perform procedure in private

you'll also be severely sun burnt inside your mouth :/

Destination · 11 Apr 2011 at 21:23

heh yes indeed, a good way to get oral cancer, gets your mouth burnt, and miss all the bacteria that are not in direct LOS to the bulb (most of them)

problem.jpg

Morgoth · 11 Apr 2011 at 21:34

hux said:
Your body produces them in the saliva i believe.

Lightnix · 11 Apr 2011 at 21:35

I bet you have fecal streptococci living in your mouth.

Cornholio. · 11 Apr 2011 at 22:05

Initially they're from the nurse/midwife/whoever delivers you, then some from the mother, then from the environment. At least that's what I've been taught. The major ones that cause gum disease won't be present until 12-13 years. And with regard to mouthwash, plaque is a laminated structure - cariogenic bacteria present on the inner layers nearer the tooth won't be affected by it, so they'll most likely continue to grow. Hope that helps!