Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/443876
percent of Americans over 30 years old have or have had inflammation of the gums (gingivitis), tooth decay or cavities, bad breath, or periodontitis (destruction or loss of bone structure and teeth). These conditions result primarily from poor oral hygiene. With more than 1,000 different organisms living in your mouth, a balance among them is essential for good oral health. Streptococcus salivarus (the good guy) is a prominent part of the oral microbiota and shows excellent potential for use as a probiotic targeting the oral cavity. Streptococcus mutans (the bad guy) tends to colonize the surface of teeth and may be responsible for breaking down your tooth enamel. Probiotic gum reduces the concentration of S. mutans by causing the microbes to clump and stick to the teeth — which makes them easier to brush, floss, and rinse away. Two probiotic supplements have been clinically shown to improve oral health: GUM PerioBalance (Lactobacillus reuteri) and Evoraplus (Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus uberis, and Streptococcus rattus). Promoting Sinus Health with Probiotics More than 40 million Americans suffer from sinus infections every year. You have eight sinuses (hollow cavities) in your skull: on the forehead, behind the cheekbones, between the eyes, and behind the eyes. [INSERT AP 7]Your sinuses help your body's immune defense by filtering harmful bacteria and viruses. The symptoms of a sinus infection include facial pain, headache, cough, and postnasal drip. The infections can be caused by allergies, bacteria, and fungi. Probiotics, especially Bifidobacteria bifidum and Lactobacillus acidophilus, have been shown to support nasal sinus health. They reduce the frequency of relapses of sinus infections by colonizing the sinus and nasal cavities with friendly bacteria, preventing the colonization by bad bacteria. Page 36 | Abby's Magazine - www.AbbysMag.com