One s. mutans bacteria about 1 micron in diameter, about 1/5th the size of a human red blood cell. Unfortunately, "There are more Strep Mutans bacteria in a single drop of dental plaque than there are humans on earth." One micron (also called a micrometer) is one thousandth of a millimeter. ( 54 ) Since normal pockets where your gums overlap your teeth are 1 to 4 millimeters deep, gobs of bacteria can and do hide in your gum pockets. "The electric toothbrushes, Sonicare and the Oral-B Braun 3-D claim to clean up to 2 or 3 millimeters past the bristle tips, or about 3.5 or 4.5 millimeters ( 55 ) into gum crevices, although this is debatable."
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