Did you know that there are more bacteria in your mouth than there are people on Earth?

Between 20 and 100 billion bacteria live in the mouth, depending on various factors such as hygiene, diet, and health. The number of different types of bacteria in a single mouth can range from 500 to 1,000 different species. For comparison: there are about 8 billion people on Earth, but there are far more bacteria in your mouth alone.

The mouth is a very suitable environment for bacteria to thrive, thanks to the presence of moisture, food particles, and a relatively constant temperature. While some bacteria in the mouth can be harmful and cause issues like tooth decay or gum disease, most bacteria are harmless and are part of a healthy oral microbiome.

The image accompanying this article is from Freepik.com