- Stanford Researchers found over 500 bacteria in your mouth?

"A study by Stanford researchers supports this analogy by identifying 37 new kinds of bacteria thriving between the teeth and gums. The research brings the total known species of oral wildlife to about 500, some of which are permanent residents, while others may just be passing through.... Even though almost 500 bacterial strains have been identified already, Relman believes this may be only a fraction of the bacteria living in this oral groove. ...Characterization of previously undocumented oral bacteria is part of the Relman team's larger effort to identify rare and unusual microbes that make their home in the human body - many cohabiting benignly but some causing mysterious human disease.

more at http://daily.stanford.edu/daily/servlet/Story?id=2731§ion=News&date=01-05-2000