Oral bacteria
There are over 700 types of bacteria in the oral cavity. Most of them are harmless microbes that perform many beneficial functions, for example, helping to break down food, protecting the teeth and oral tissues. But some bacteria are very harmful and can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Streptococcus mutans
The bacterium feeds on sugars and starches found in food particles that are retained by the teeth and gums. If they are not removed by daily brushing and flossing, they can cause tooth decay. The bacterium physiologically occurs in the human oral cavity, forming part of the natural bacterial flora there (about 2%). It can be very dangerous. During gingivitis, it can pass through damaged mucous membranes into the bloodstream, causing transient bacteremia and infective endocarditis.
Porphyromonas gingivalis
This species of bacteria is primarily associated with advanced cases of chronic periodontitis. Normally, this bacterial microorganism is not present in a healthy mouth. But if it develops, it is a sign of gum disease or periodontitis. Gum disease is a bacterial infection that attacks the tissues and bones supporting the teeth. If left untreated, the bacteria can cause tooth loss. The bacterium grows on agar media enriched with blood. It forms brown-green colonies with varying morphology, ranging from mild, smooth forms to irregular, cauliflower-like shapes. P. g. is a bacterium characteristic of the oral cavity environment and practically does not occur outside of it, although its presence is very sporadically noted during infections such as chronic otitis media or perforation in the course of appendicitis.
In the mild form of periodontitis, to inhibit the progression of the disease, systematic removal of dental plaque, maintaining oral hygiene, correcting fillings, or making prosthetic restorations such as dentures, bridges, and crowns is sufficient. The moderate and severe forms often additionally require curettage (a procedure to clean the root surface) along with filling bone defects with bone substitute materials. Porphyromonas gingivalis is also combated by administering antibiotics, especially in patients with acute symptoms of periodontal disease accompanied by signs such as high fever, malaise, dizziness, and dehydration.
Research
Based on studies conducted in many countries around the world, it was found that Polish children are characterized by a high level of oral colonization by Streptococcus mutans bacteria, comparable to some countries in Latin America and Africa. Based on a representative population group of 500 children in Poland, this percentage was approx. 91%. For comparison, in Brazil, the percentage of children from whom the mentioned bacteria were isolated was 93%, in Great Britain 62%, in the USA 80%, in Mozambique 94-100%, and in Sudan 97-100%.
Fortunately, changing hygiene and dietary habits, health education, reducing sugar consumption, as well as therapeutic and preventive measures, can influence the level of infection in a given population. A few years ago, microbiologists from the UCLA School of Dentistry announced that they had developed a mouthwash containing STAMP (specifically targeted anti-microbial peptides). The preparation shows great promise in eliminating S. mutans and preventing tooth decay.
