Not all bacteria in your mouth are harmful. In fact, there’s a delicate balance between good and bad bacteria. Here’s what you need to know.
Good vs. Bad Bacteria (Probiotics)
Good Bacteria: These friendly microbes play a crucial role in maintaining oral health. They help break down food particles, support digestion, and even keep your breath fresh. Oral probiotics encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria while inhibiting harmful ones.
Bad Bacteria: Some bacteria contribute to dental diseases like gingivitis and tooth decay. For instance, Streptococcus mutans is a key player in cavity formation. When these bacteria interact with sugars, they produce acids that erode tooth enamel, leading to cavities.
Tooth Infections and Bacterial Spread
Tooth Infections: A tooth infection (or abscess) occurs when bacteria and pus collect inside a tooth or gum. Without treatment, infections can worsen and spread. Common symptoms include pain, swelling, and redness.
Complications: If left untreated, tooth infections can lead to serious complications:
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- Osteomyelitis: Infection of the bone surrounding the tooth.
- Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis: Infection of sinuses’ blood vessels.
- Cellulitis: Skin infection beneath the skin.
- Parapharyngeal Abscess: Abscess at the back of the mouth.
- Sepsis: A life-threatening immune response to infection.
Maintaining Balance
Probiotics: Consider incorporating oral probiotics into your routine. These specific strains can support a healthy mouth and prevent harmful bacteria from taking over.
Practice good oral hygiene practices such as regular brushing, flossing and professional cleanings. They are essential for maintaining a balanced oral microbiome. If you suspect a tooth infection, seek prompt dental care to prevent complications.
About Sedation and Implant Dentists
Sedation and Implant Dentists is a specialized dental practice located in Los Angeles, focusing on dental implant solutions and sedation dentistry for complex and routine procedures. Our services include single dental implants, multiple dental implants, full mouth implants, graftless zygomatic implants, various sedation options, and tailored treatment solutions for difficult dental cases.
Our dentists, Thomas Gonzales D.D.S. and Michael Chang D.D.S., specialize in dental implants and sedation, aiming to alleviate dental anxiety and provide advanced treatment solutions for patients with complex dental needs. We help individuals with missing teeth and significant dental decay to regain their dental function and confidence by providing custom-designed dental implants and sedation dentistry.
Our dental team has 45 years’ experience and are member of several prestigious organizations, including: the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation and American Dental Society of Anesthesiology.
Sedation and Implant Dentists is located at 416 W. Las Tunas Dr. Suite 107, San Gabriel, CA 91776. Our office is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Our website at https://SedationandImplantDentists.com.
