They may look more like the grasping fronds of sea anemones on an underwater coral reef, but these brightly coloured creatures actually live in your mouth.

Using a scanning electron microscope, scientists have been able to capture images of the bacteria living in the darkest crevices of the human mouth.

Magnified by up to ten thousand times and highlighted using false colouring, these microbes can be found growing on the inside of your cheeks, gums and your teeth.

While they might look like an underwater sea anemone, these long strands are actually bacteria growing inside of the human mouth. Captured using the latest microscopic techniques and then coloured, they highlight the range of microbes in our oral cavities 

While some of the cells are harmless, and even beneficial by helping to control levels of harmful bacteria, others are responsible for the build up of plaque that causes tooth decay.

Steve Gschmeissner, a microscopy expert from Bedford, took swabs from his cheeks and placed them inside the microscope to capture the stunning 3D images.

An estimated 300 species of bacteria live inside our mouths, including Lactobacillus, which are associated with dental cavities and Fusospirochete which can cause gum disease.

Some forms of bacteria, like the Steptococci adhere strongly to the gums and cheeks but not the teeth.

Microscopy expert Steve Gschmeissner took swabs from inside his mouth and placed them under a scanning electron microscope to reveal the bacteria growing on the cells of his tongue and cheek (pictured)

There are an estimated 300 different species of bacteria living inside our mouths. The images reveal some of those that grow on the inside of our cheeks, our teeth and gums. While some bacteria can cause gum disease and tooth decay, others can be beneficial

Bacteria of serveral different species can be seen in the images growing on the pink buccal cells of the cheek and tongue (pictured)

Bacteria like Lactobacillus are associated with dental cavities and Fusospirochete which can cause gum disease. Some forms of bacteria, like the Steptococci adhere strongly to the gums, tongue (pictured) and cheeks but not the teeth

By changing the colours in the images, it is possible to see different features highlighted, like in the example above

Culled from  Mail Online