Oral Health and Bacteria

Bacteria in the Mouth

• Bacteria are tiny guests living in the mouth, making it their cafeteria.
• They are polite and work hard to build up plaque, a living glue made up of bacteria and food particles.
• Plaque is a sticky substance that forms on teeth, contributing to tooth decay.

Plaque and Saliva

• Saliva is a big word for spit, which helps keep the tongue moist.
• Water alone cannot wash plaque away, allowing bacteria to thrive.

How Bacteria Thrive

• Bacteria multiply when kids snack on candy, soda, cookies, and sweets.
• As bacteria multiply, plaque thickens into a gooey substance.
• Not brushing teeth helps protect plaque and allows bacteria to continue multiplying.

Dentists and Oral Hygiene

• Dentists aim to stop tooth decay with their motto: "stop that black mouthwash, toothbrush, let's attack!"
• Dentists use x-rays, six-month checkups, and flossing to prevent tooth decay.
• Bacteria discourage kids from joining the dentist's fight, suggesting they should spare their teeth and avoid regular care.

Mouth Environment

• Bacteria live in the mouth, feeding on food particles and building up plaque.
• Plaque is a sticky, living substance consisting of bacteria and food particles.

Plaque Formation

• Plaque forms on teeth, contributing to tooth decay.
• Saliva (spit) helps keep the tongue moist, but cannot wash away plaque.

Bacteria Growth

• Consuming sugary snacks like candy, soda, cookies, and sweets enables bacteria to multiply.
• As bacteria multiply, plaque thickens into a gooey substance.

Importance of Oral Hygiene

• Not brushing teeth allows plaque to persist, enabling bacteria to continue multiplying.
• Dentists use x-rays, six-month checkups, and flossing to prevent tooth decay and promote oral hygiene.

Mouth Environment

• Bacteria live in the mouth, feeding on food particles and building up plaque.
• Plaque is a sticky, living substance consisting of bacteria and food particles.

Plaque Formation

• Plaque forms on teeth, contributing to tooth decay.
• Saliva (spit) helps keep the tongue moist, but cannot wash away plaque.

Bacteria Growth

• Consuming sugary snacks like candy, soda, cookies, and sweets enables bacteria to multiply.
• As bacteria multiply, plaque thickens into a gooey substance.

Importance of Oral Hygiene

• Not brushing teeth allows plaque to persist, enabling bacteria to continue multiplying.
• Dentists use x-rays, six-month checkups, and flossing to prevent tooth decay and promote oral hygiene.

Learn about the bacteria that live in your mouth, how they build up plaque, and the role of saliva in oral health. Understand how bacteria multiply and thrive in the mouth.