Is your oral microbial balance at risk? Here’s how common factors disr

Oral health is influenced by many factors, with the balance of microbes in the mouth being central. This delicate coexistence of bacteria and other microorganisms is vital for the health of teeth and gums. When the microbial balance is healthy, your mouth is better protected from diseases. However, when this balance is disturbed, unpleasant consequences such as plaque, gingivitis, and tooth decay can arise.

What is oral microbial balance?

The oral microbiome plays a key role in health, as it can lead to both oral and systemic diseases. It exists in biofilms throughout the mouth, forming an ecosystem that maintains health in a state of equilibrium.

Oral microbial balance refers to the state where the microbes in the mouth, such as bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, live in harmony with each other. When this balance is maintained, the tissues of the mouth—gums, teeth, and mucous membranes—remain healthy. However, when this balance is disturbed, harmful pathogens can grow and cause disease, leading to a condition called dysbiosis.

The oral cavity harbors thousands of different species of bacteria, most of which are beneficial or harmless. One example of a beneficial bacterium is Streptococcus salivarius, which is common in the mouth and particularly on the tongue surface. It is part of the normal oral microbiome and helps maintain oral health by stimulating the immune system and preventing infections. This bacterium produces natural antimicrobial compounds like lantibiotics, which inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria.

Problems arise when the microbial balance is disturbed, and harmful bacteria begin to grow uncontrollably, overshadowing beneficial species. Streptococcus mutans, one of the main microbes responsible for tooth decay, produces acid during the fermentation of sugar, which weakens tooth enamel. Another harmful bacterium, Porphyromonas gingivalis, is associated with gingivitis and periodontitis (gum disease). This bacterium thrives in an imbalanced mouth and can worsen inflammatory processes.

What disrupts microbial balance?

Maintaining oral microbial balance requires good oral hygiene and healthy lifestyle habits. Regular use of antibacterial Lumoral treatment as an adjunctive treatment to mechanical oral hygiene practices—brushing and flossing—can help keep the balance intact, supporting overall oral health.

Several everyday factors can disrupt the microbial balance in the mouth:

Poor oral hygiene: Irregular or insufficient brushing and flossing lead to plaque buildup, creating a favorable environment for harmful bacteria to grow.
Diet: A diet high in sugar or acidic foods promotes bacterial growth. These bacteria produce acids that wear down tooth enamel and lead to cavities.
Dry mouth: A lack of saliva, which can be caused by certain medications, dries out the mouth and hinders its natural cleaning process, giving harmful bacteria more time to multiply.
Stress and lifestyle habits: Long-term stress and unhealthy habits, such as smoking, can weaken the immune system and make the oral bacterial balance more susceptible to disruption.

How can Lumoral help maintain microbial balance?

Lumoral is an innovative Finnish invention designed to maintain oral microbial balance when used alongside traditional oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing. It combines antibacterial light with a photosensitive Lumorinse mouthwash, targeting harmful bacteria in the mouth without disrupting the beneficial ones.

Lumoral’s light-activated antibacterial technology helps control bacterial plaque, reducing the risk of gingivitis and cavities. When used regularly in addition to brushing and flossing, the Lumoral method helps prevent microbial imbalances and supports the mouth's natural defense mechanisms.

Lumoral: Long-term benefits

Using Lumoral supports overall oral health. When the microbial balance remains healthy, the risk of plaque and cavities decreases, gum inflammation subsides, and your mouth stays fresher. Lumoral treatment is especially beneficial for those with fixed braces or other challenges to maintaining oral hygiene.

Oral microbial balance is a key part of overall health, and its disturbance can lead to various oral health problems. By maintaining good oral hygiene habits, a healthy diet, and using the innovative Lumoral method, you can effectively protect your mouth from bacterial damage and keep your oral microbial balance optimal.

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Deo PN, Deshmukh R. Oral microbiome: Unveiling the fundamentals. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2019 Jan-Apr;23(1):122-128. doi: 10.4103/jomfp.JOMFP_304_18. PMID: 31110428; PMCID: PMC6503789.

Pakarinen, S.; Saarela, R.K.T.; Välimaa, H.; Heikkinen, A.M.; Kankuri, E.; Noponen, M.; Alapulli, H.; Tervahartiala, T.; Räisänen, I.T.; Sorsa, T.; Pätilä, T. Home-Applied Dual-Light Photodynamic Therapy in the Treatment of Stable Chronic Periodontitis (HOPE-CP)—Three-Month Interim Results. Dent. J. 2022, 10, 206. https://helda.helsinki.fi/handle/10138/350606