Probiotics are health beneficial bacteria. When you think of bacteria it is usually in a negative way, but what many people don’t know is that there is good and bad bacteria. Bad bacteria can really harm your body when there are high amounts of it that’s why we need good bacteria to balance it out. I’m sure the first thought that comes to mind is “Why do we need bacteria?” Well bacteria actually keeps our body function and living, everything from digesting food to protecting our bodies from infection are all job duties of bacteria.

Probiotics help with a variety of different illnesses and health conditions including oral health. As you may already know your mouth is filled with bacteria. There are many foods with active probiotics that when consumed help better your oral health. Also, there are many types of bacteria that are classified as probiotics. All with different benefits but most come from two groups, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Both can be found in dairy products such as yogurt and other fermented foods.

Taking probiotics can reduce some of these oral conditions such as cavities, gum disease, mouth ulcers and much more. You can find out more information by asking your medical doctor about probiotics and how there beneficial to your body. Below is a small list of foods that have active probiotics:

• Yogurt
• Kefir
• Pickles
• Sauerkraut
• Sourdough bread
• Kombucha tea (fermented tea )
• Soy products
• Milk
• Dark chocolate
• Olives
• And more …