Do You Know Your Biofilm Number? Why It May Be as Important as Knowing Your Blood Pressure
Most people know their blood pressure. Many know their cholesterol. Some even know their blood sugar levels. But very few people know their biofilm number.
At Jordan J. Balvich, DMD, PC, we believe that understanding your biofilm level is one of the most important steps toward improving not only your oral health but also your overall health.
Biofilm is a sticky community of bacteria that lives on your teeth, gums, tongue, and other surfaces in your mouth. While some bacteria are beneficial, excessive biofilm can contribute to cavities, gum disease, bad breath, inflammation, and potentially impact overall health.
The challenge is that biofilm is often invisible. You cannot always see it, and many people assume that if they brush and floss regularly, they have it under control. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
That is why we use ATP biofilm testing. In just seconds, we can measure the amount of biological activity present in your mouth and provide you with a biofilm score.
Think of it this way: if your doctor never checked your blood pressure, how would you know whether it was improving or getting worse? The same concept applies to biofilm.
Knowing your biofilm number allows us to:
- Establish a baseline
- Track improvement over time
- Personalize home care recommendations
- Identify patients at increased risk for cavities and gum disease
- Help patients understand the effectiveness of their current routines
Many patients are surprised to learn that brushing alone may not be enough. Biofilm can accumulate in hard-to-reach areas, around dental work, on the tongue, and even within periodontal pockets.
The good news is that once you know your number, you can take action. Through personalized protocols, professional care, and targeted products, many patients see significant improvement in their biofilm scores.
The first step is simply knowing your number.
Do you know yours?
