The oral cavity contains a balance of good and bad bacteria. In a healthy mouth, the good bacteria keep the bad bacteria in check.
Day to day bacteria in your mouth
Food, drink, pens, pencils, pen lids, fingernails, hair grips, toothbrushes, thumbs, hair, coffee stirrers, reading glasses – the list of things you put into your mouth on a daily basis goes on and on – and on. And every single one of them can carry bacteria – even healthy things like fruit.
Your saliva breaks down carbohydrates into sugars, which the germs in your mouth love. As they feed on the sugar, the germs begin to multiply - again and again.
Germs by the way, are the cause of most of the problems you have in your mouth: bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease and sometimes even sensitivity.
They also build up into a thick layer called plaque which can build up into a hard rough surface called tartar. Tartar attracts discolourants like coffee, causing staining of the teeth.
