The Ecology of a Healthy Mouth

     The chemical defense of the oral cavity and regulation of the oral ecology is dependent on  free flowing saliva and good hygiene practices.  Saliva is an essential fluid in that it contains several antimicrobial substances to provide the defense system to (A) prevent establishment of specific organisms, (B) limit multiplication, (C) create an environment where pathogenic mechanisms are inhibited.

     Both salivary and gingival crevicular systems contain antibodies SIgA, IgM, IgG, and the antimicrobial agents lysozyme, lactoferrin, and peroxidase enzymes which have an inhibiting effect on bacterial proliferation.  These salivary factors may interact in a common antimicrobial system.

     There is a relationship between periodontal disease and salivary enzymes.  Some tissue dissolving enzymes are formed by periodontopathic organisms as Bacteriodes intermedius, gingivalis, and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans to name a few.  These organisms produce fibrinolytic, collagenolytic, and other hydrolytic enzymes capable of breaking down bone and connective tissue.

     The secretory immune system for those undergoing chemo and radiation therapies for cancer, AIDS, those taking medication resulting in dry mouth conditions, along with people with Diabetes is shut down for lack of saliva.  The uncontrolled proliferation of pathogenic bacteria releasing hydorlytic enzymes leads to a severe inflammatory cascade.

     In a healthy mouth, the layer of cells lining the mouth consists of several layers of thick-flat-pink colored, non-keratinized cells, with no vascular supply that serve to help resist physical and chemical attack.  These cells are replaced every 3-4 days by new developing cells.

     In a mouth with red-swollen-bleeding tissues, the (top layer) corneum cells are sloughed off and replaced every few hours.  The new cells of the corneum layer have surfaced so rapidly they have not had the time to develop into compact resistant layers.  These cells are now subject to the irritating compounds in some oral therapeutics and often rupture and bleed.  The sloughed cells are now the nutrition for bacterial proliferation.

     Oral therapeutic compounds can either speed healing or can further complicate natures effort to heal.  Selecting the proper oral therapeutic is critical in many cases