The Microbiome of the Mouth ?
What is a microbiome? A microbiome is a collection or community of microorganisms or microbes that affect the progression of health and disease. There are five identified microbiomes: gut, skin, vaginal, brain and oral. The oral microbiome is the collection of microbes, mostly bacteria, found within the mouth of humans and animals. What do microbes do in the mouth? In the mouth, there are a variety of micro-environments which host different bacterial populations such as hard palate, the teeth, the area around tooth surfaces, the tongue and the areas above and below the gums. Each location has a unique composition of microbes. For example, some microbes are more suited to soft oral tissues, while others prefer harder tissues such as the enamel of teeth. Some live on dental plaque, which is a sticky residue on teeth, caused by the buildup of leftover food mixed with saliva. Some bacteria are harmful and some are beneficial. So far, more than 700 species of bacteria have been ...