See also Mouth Sores

As explained in Chapter 2, digestion begins in your mouth where the enzymes in saliva begin to digest carbohydrates. The environment in your mouth is meant to be slightly alkaline, not acidic. However, a diet rich in sugar coupled with poor oral hygiene disturbs the pH balance and the mouth becomes a breeding ground for acid-loving, acid-producing bacteria. Sugar provides the food for these bacteria, and the acid they produce becomes the "glue" of dental plaque—the cement-like substance that must be scraped off your teeth.

The primary suspect in dental disease is Streptococcus mutans and other streptococcal strains, as well as Candida albicans. However, certain friendly strains of Lactobacillus, L. casei, and bifidobacteria are also implicated. How does it happen that these friends turn foe? You see, as a rule, lactobacilli are not a primary cause in the formation of dental caries. Rather they are the normal beneficial flora of the mouth and account for only 0.01 percent of the bacteria responsible for plaque. However, quantities of lactobacilli have been found to increase in a small number of cases in which dental decay has already begun. In other words, these friendly bacteria are secondary contributors to tooth decay—they turn foe only once the trouble has started. Therefore, it is safe to assume that beneficial lactobacilli are not involved in causing cavities.

Take a situation in which beneficial bacteria can flourish in a region of the body where they are not normal colonizers, such as the mouth. Under ideal circumstances, the natural flora of the mouth—including the right strains of the friendly bacteria—provide a barrier to canker sores and dental decay. For example, lactobacilli fight oral yeasts, such as the Candida albicans bacteria that may contribute to dental decay. To inhibit the action of every kind of bacteria that attack teeth, protect the normal alkaline environment of your mouth by limiting the sugar in your diet, which leads to an overgrowth of acid-producing bacteria (good and bad), and by practicing good oral hygiene.

RECOMMENDED PROBIOTIC REGIMEN

Take 1/2 teaspoon each of L. acidophilus, B. bifidum and L. bulgaricus powders, mixed together in 6 to 8 ounces unchilled filtered water, one to three times daily before meals. Before swallowing, swish the liquid in your mouth a few seconds.

Instead of the above regimen, take 1 combination capsule that contains all three super strains in an oil-matrix carrier, one to three times daily.

NOTE: The information contained on this site is based on the training, personal experiences and research of the author, Natasha Trenev. It is intended for educational purposes, and is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or replace medical care. Mention of any research organization or individual researcher should in no way be construed as an endorsement of thissite or of any of the techniques therein. Because each person and situation are unique, the author urges the reader to check with a qualified health professional before using any procedure in which there is any question of appropriateness. It is a sign of wisdom, not cowardice, to seek a second or third opinion.