The Danger of Biofilm and How You Can Remove It
Bacteria thrive in moist and warm areas, which is a perfect descriptor of your mouth. It is no surprise that your mouth is an ideal habitat for developing bacteria and biofilm. Biofilm develops when bacteria are allowed to cluster and form colonies on wet surfaces. Everybody has it in their mouth, and it can lead to the formation of plaque and oral disease if not removed. At Mount Royal Dental in Burlington, Ontario, Dr. Sam Gupta is introducing a true game changer in biofilm removal treatment. Guided biofilm therapy follows an 8-step protocol which completely removes biofilm from your mouth in a gentle and comfortable way. Let us take a closer look at biofilm and why it needs to be removed from teeth.
How Does Biofilm Form?
Dental biofilm is a colony of bacteria that forms in your mouth via a communication technique called quorum sensing. This is a mechanism bacteria use to encourage group behaviour to form these colonies, which leads to biofilm formation. Biofilm is not unique to the human mouth but can form on any wet surface, such as in ponds, bathroom drains, etc. While not all biofilm communities which form in your mouth are harmful, those formed by acid-forming bacteria will be detrimental to your oral health. When able to react with the food and beverages you consume, these harmful bacteria will begin to form into dental plaque. Dental plaque is the gateway to many oral health issues when left untreated.
How Can You Prevent Biofilm?
Outside of professional biofilm treatments offered by Dr. Gupta, there are some steps you can take from the comfort of your home to minimize the development of biofilm. These include:
- Thoroughly brushing your teeth two to three times a day for two-to-three-minutes
- Flossing using standard floss, flossing sticks, or a Waterpik®️ flosser daily
- Rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash on a regular basis
- Having regularly scheduled dental cleanings every six months
- If you utilize mouth appliances such as a retainer or clear aligners, make sure to keep them clean
If you are ready to learn more about biofilm removal treatment, call Dr. Gupta at Mount Royal Dental today by dialling (905) 581-9912 .