The biology behind our mouths is pretty complex. Generally speaking, oral microbiology is the study of how oral microorganisms—largely those of the oral cavity—interact with their human host. Essentially, the growth of these microorganisms is linked to the state of our own oral health and physiology. Understanding microbiology in dentistry is essential for dental hygiene students as it forms the foundation for effective dental care.
While the oral microbiome is vast and complex, it’s important to know the role it plays in our oral health. Here are some things about oral microbiology that dental hygiene students should know.
1. Our Mouths Host the Body’s Second-Most Diverse Microbial Community
The oral microbial community’s makeup is so diverse that the human mouth is home to more than 700 different species of bacteria located between the oral mucosa’s soft tissues and our teeth. A great many of these bacteria are connected to dental plaque. However, just 34 to 72 kinds are typically found in individual humans, and some are probiotics, which are beneficial to one’s health.
In any case, the mouth is an incredibly colonized part of the body and significantly impacts one’s general health. The body hosts a complex community of microorganisms, and aspiring dental hygienists should know that some of these bacteria contribute to tooth decay. Microbiology dental hygiene education emphasizes the significance of maintaining a balanced oral microbiome to prevent dental diseases.
2. The Relationship Between the Host and the Microbiome
What’s particularly worth keeping in mind about oral microbiology is exactly how host-microbiome symbiosis plays out. Humans aren’t simply autonomous organisms; rather, they are a combination of various microbes (as well as their genomes), which form a “superorganism”. Our microbiome represents the community of microorganisms existing within us, and those microbiota residents and the hosts are separate from one another.
Some advantages of this symbiosis between the two are its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, its ability to regulate one’s cardiovascular system, and the maintenance of the digestive tract. The body’s various microbial communities can also contribute to functions like food digestion, metabolic regulation, and immune system regulation. Why is microbiology important in the practice of dentistry? The importance of microbiology in dentistry lies in understanding this symbiotic relationship, as it helps dental professionals promote optimal oral health.
3. Want to Become a Dental Hygienist? Understand What Dysbiosis Means
Dysbiosis, the opposite of symbiosis, occurs when harmful bacteria disrupt the oral ecosystem, leading to conditions like periodontitis, cavities, and gingivitis. Factors such as poor oral hygiene, smoking, diet, health conditions like diabetes, and even genetics can cause dysbiosis.
While physiological changes like puberty, pregnancy, and aging usually have minimal impact on oral health, they can occasionally trigger dysbiosis. Therefore, understanding the importance of maintaining a balanced oral microbiome is crucial for anyone in dental hygienist training. Microbiology dental studies in this field focus on identifying the causes of dysbiosis and developing strategies to restore oral balance.
Why is Microbiology Important to the Dental Assistant?
Why is microbiology important to the dental assistant? Understanding microbiology helps dental assistants identify the causes of oral diseases, implement infection control measures, and educate patients on maintaining oral health. Knowledge of microbiology dental principles enables dental assistants to play a crucial role in preventing and managing oral infections.
Do you want to enroll in a Dental Hygiene Diploma program?
Contact the Canadian Academy of Dental Health & Community Sciences for more information!
FAQs
Why is microbiology important in the practice of dentistry?
The importance of microbiology in dentistry lies in understanding this symbiotic relationship, as it helps dental professionals promote optimal oral health.
Why is microbiology important to the dental assistant?
Understanding microbiology helps dental assistants identify the causes of oral diseases, implement infection control measures, and educate patients on maintaining oral health.
