A research paper published in August issue of the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology says that a new species of bacterium has been discovered in the mouth. The discovery will help scientists understand tooth decay and gum diseases, and will enable doctors to treat better.

 

William Wade from King's College London Dental Institute on the issue said that the healthy human mouth is home to a tremendous variety of microbes including viruses, fungi, protozoa and bacteria, but the bacteria are the most numerous. And, according to him there are 100 million bacteria in every mm of saliva.

 

Accordingly, he told that there are more than 600 different species of bacteria in the mouth. And, around half of these have yet to be named and researchers are trying to describe and name the new species. Scientists studied this bacterium and called it Prevotella.

 

However, William Wade opines that a detailed description and name for each species of bacteria are needed so that different laboratories can recognize all of the bacterial species present in the mouth. Notwithstanding, the research will help scientists devise new prevention measures and treatments for oral diseases.