When you hear the word "bacteria," you might think of the germs that make you sick during cold and flu season. But when it comes to bacteria in your mouth, you might be surprised to learn that there are a lot of good bacteria there. Germs can't spread because healthy bacteria keep them from doing so. If you get to know the good bacteria in your mouth , you might not want to get rid of them all so quickly. What kinds of bacteria are in your mouth? Even though it's true that some bacteria in your mouth can cause diseases like gingivitis and tooth decay, not all bacteria are bad. Probiotics and other good bacteria help keep your mouth healthy, break down food, and keep your breath fresh. Bacteria, fungi, and yeasts that are good for you stop other microbiomes that are bad for you from taking over. The long list of good bacteria also helps with certain functions in the mouth and digestive system, like breaking down sugar and milk or washing away food particles to...