Mouth and Throat health and the benefits of Probiotics

There are many challenges that we face when it comes to our mouths and throats and not all of them are caused by bacteria. However, for those problems that are linked to bacteria, probiotics* are one simple start to remedying a variety of problems. This can be attributed to bringing our different microbiomes** into balance.

From plate to colon, a healthy digestive system is achieved when we balance our microbiome.

Bacteria is often harmless when in balance while harmful in the wrong place or thriving on a food imbalance. For example, Streptococcus Mutans, a bacteria that changes sugar into lactic acid, causes cavities in teeth, especially when there is an abundance of sugar to empower it.

Streptococcus infections are well documented throat infections too and yet the Streptococcus Mutans is a completely different strain of bacteria to the Streptococcus Viridans that threatens the throat microbiome.

In our throat, we have three different kinds of tonsils. Each tonsil consists of a network of crypts (pits) that store a type of white blood cell that fights infections. When the tonsils, our throat filters, are overwhelmed, the tonsils get clogged. They stop filtering what goes into the throat and also lose the benefit of the protective cells in those pits. These can then become hosts to infection.

We also get a kind of heroic strain of similarly named but completely different bacteria, Streptococcus Thermophilus, found in milk kefir; which literally drowns out pathogenic*** bacteria strains. According to a study published on researchgate.net , they confirmed that the level of Streptococcus Mutans is reduced by regularly drinking the probiotic kefir drink.

What then could be easier than drinking a small amount, even just 40ml of unflavoured milk kefir, every day to defend against cavity-causing bacteria as well as defending against throat infections. As our previous blog pointed out that multi-strained kefir also improves bad breath through balancing the gut microbiome. There is an abundance of compelling evidence that a healthy gut is linked to a good immune system, brain function and better moods.

Begin your journey to a healthy mouth and throat experience by drinking milk kefir for defense against bad breath, dental cavities and throat health.

*probiotics - a microorganism introduced into the body for its beneficial qualities

** Microbiome - the microorganisms in a particular environment (including the body or a part of the body)

***pathogenic – (of a bacterium, virus, or other microorganism) causing disease

 

Written by Viv Brown