A patented strain of oral probiotics, known as Streptococcus salivarius K12, is a naturally occurring bacteria found in a very small percentage of the human population (2% or less of people have this bacteria in their mouths).
Scientists discovered BLIS K12 by studying people that were unusually free of illness, particularly oral ailments.
These people almost never got ill with sore throats or colds and had few oral ailments, including a low incidence of bad breath, halitosis. Further study showed that these individual’s mouths were naturally populated with a powerfully beneficial bacterial strain, now called BLIS K12.
This was a finding that was of great interest due to its potential for naturally boosting immunity and oral health, so further studies followed. Researchers were particularly interested in how this strain was able to provide such beneficial results, what was the mechanism behind it all?
Well these smart researchers did figure it out and a simplified explanation is given below, but first let’s define a couple terms:
BLIS: an abbreviation that stands for Bacteriocin like Inhibitory Substance(Bacteriocin is a compound word that means a toxin produced by one bacteria that is harmful or lethal to other bacteria).
Peptide: in very simple terms these are just groups of amino acids, proteins, that are bonded together. Basically a compound of amino acids.
OK, still with us? Good, because here is where it gets interesting.
This bacterial strain (S. salivarius K12) actually creates a couple peptides that are like bullets fired against incoming invader bacteria! It is quite clever, the BLIS K12 is actually able to recognize the other bacteria, target it and fire away with these peptide “bullets”. Just like being shot by a gun, these peptide “bullets” (technically they are called BLIS) pop a hole in the invading bacteria cell wall, and then these bacteria effectively bleed to death.
The BLIS K12 (K12 is just a random name given to this strain) bacteria are like roving immune squads, firing away at the “bad” bacteria that cause many types of ear-nose-throat infections as well as oral health ailments such as bad breath, gum disease and plaque formation.
Fantastic news, except if you are one of the 98% of humans that do not naturally possess this bacteria! Thankfully one can supplement with quality oral probiotics and populate your mouth–thus obtaining these great benefits.
But it is important to remember that BLIS K12 is not a drug but a living bacteria.
Why is this important? Well, it means that one is dealing with living entities and certain lifestyle habits, smoking and drinking in particular, can make it very, very difficult for the BLIS K12 to survive. In addition, the use of heavy chemicals and antibacterial oral products will also work against these beneficial bacteria, as they don’t just target and kill off the “bad” bacteria.
There is another important factor to consider in choosing an oral probiotic product. The oral probiotics have to be effective at the job of integration and adhesion into the oral biofilm (think of “biofilm” as a living, bacterial colony that coats, like a film, your mouth and teeth). Biofilms are like exclusive neighborhoods, they can be hard to get into and resist newcomers! If the oral probiotics can’t get into the “neighborhood” then they can’t go to work.
A quality oral probiotic, such as our Advanced Oral Probiotic Blend from Great Oral Health, is compounded with oral probiotics that have a proven capacity for working their way into the biofilms and extant bacterial colonies in your mouth. In addition, we manufacture our oral probiotics with proprietary ingredients designed to boost the chalky texture which boosts our adhesion factor tremendously.
Keep in mind that while it can take weeks, if not months, to see full results from any probiotic regimen, studies have shown significant results within weeks of taking BLIS K12.
Clinical studies have shown significant results in reducing illness, boosting gum health, improving bad breath and a number of other symptoms associated with the regular use of oral probiotics.
Find out more on our website: www.greatoralhealth.com
