Lurking Mouth Microbes

Periodontitis is one of the worlds’ most prevalent human diseases. Yet, we usually don’t think of it as being particular threatening to our health. It is estimated that over half of the adult population in the United States has this gum disease. 10 to 20% of those experience tooth loss. A group of researchers are looking into how we can monitor the bacteria in our mouths.

Researchers at the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee may be getting closer to understanding the ‘dark microbiata’ in our mouths. By growing cultures of various bacterial families and isolating those cultures in the presence of certain genes. Or by excluding certain genes. Scientists are learning how a particular oral bacteria called Desulfobulbus Oralis can be ‘turned-on or off’.  (Read the full article here) 

This particular oral microbe has the ability to synthesize the potent neurotoxin methyl mercury. In the absent of certain genes, the microbe appears to lose that ability. This is a major step in the understanding of how the microbial mechanisms in our mouth work to advance gingivitis and periodontal disease. (see the publication here) 

Karissa Cross and her fellow researchers hope to further the study of dental science by one day fully understanding and mapping all the microbal fiends hiding in our gums.

Until that day, we recommend good old-fashioned tooth brushing followed by an anti-microbial mouthwash. Contact us today for a cleansing and lets kick those microbes out of there.