National Smile Month: why having bacteria is good for our teeth

As National Smile Month gets underway, experts are highlighting a surprising fact: your mouth hosts roughly 700 different types of bacteria — and most of them play beneficial roles. Far from being a sign of poor hygiene, a diverse oral microbiome helps protect against harmful invaders, supports digestion, and contributes to overall oral health.

Every year, National Smile Month (11th May-11th June), reminds us of a simple but powerful message: prevention is better than cure. Yet for many people, oral health is still something we only think about when there’s a problem. A sudden toothache, bleeding gums, or bad breath often acts as the trigger, but by then, the damage may already be underway.

The reality is that most dental issues, including tooth decay and gum disease, are largely preventable. What’s changing today is our understanding of how to prevent them. Beyond brushing and flossing, science is increasingly pointing to two powerful and interconnected factors: nutrition and the oral microbiome.

Ros spoke to dentist Dr Maria Papavergos.