The oral microbiome, an ecosystem of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms living in our mouths, has increasingly been recognized as an important factor in our health. Research is increasingly uncovering how maintaining a balanced oral microbiome can influence various aspects of wellness. Supporting this microbial ecosystem may help promote a healthy inflammatory response, immune function, and cognitive performance as we age.
What Is the Oral Microbiome?
The oral microbiome refers to the diverse community of microbes residing on the teeth, tongue, gums, cheeks, and other surfaces of the oral cavity. It is one of the most complex microbiomes in the human body, comprising several hundred species of bacteria, viruses, archaea, protozoa, and fungi. These microbes perform essential functions, such as:
Maintaining oral pH by producing acids or bases.
Naturally supporting the body’s defenses by crowding out undesirable organisms and invaders
Supporting nitric oxide pathways, which play a role in vascular health
Interacting with the immune system to train and modulate responses.
Oral Microbiome and Systemic Health
A balanced oral microbiome is essential for maintaining oral hygiene, growing evidence suggests it may play a broader role in supporting whole-body health. mechanisms. But beyond oral health, there is now strong evidence that the oral microbiome influences systemic health via various internal mechanisms
Oral Microbiome and Cognitive Wellness
One of the most compelling and emerging areas of research links the oral microbiome brain health. Studies have found:
Byproducts from certain microbes can travel from the mouth to other parts of the body where they can influence inflammatory signaling nad interact with neurological pathways
Neuroinflammation: Oral bacteria and their toxins (e.g., gingipains) may reach the brain via the bloodstream or cranial nerves
Epidemiological associations: Gum health in midlife has been linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline later in life, supporting a potential causal relationship.
While the precise mechanisms are still being unraveled, the link between oral health and brain health appears to be biologically plausible and increasingly supported by clinical evidence.
What Can You Do to Maintain Oral Microbiome Health?
Maintaining a balanced oral microbiome involves more than just brushing your teeth. The most important step you can take towards a healthy oral microbiome is to gain insights into your oral microbiome via testing with Viome, then nurture it with Viome oral supplements.* Viome’s nutritional recommendations and supplements support a healthy oral microbiome and encourage microbial balance to maintain a healthy environment in the mouth.*
Here are additional evidence-based strategies to support a healthy oral ecosystem:
Practice consistent oral hygiene: Brush twice a day and floss daily to reduce plaque buildup and prevent overgrowth of pathogenic species.
Avoid antiseptic mouthwashes: Broad-spectrum antiseptics can disrupt microbial balance.
Limit added sugars: Sugar fuels acid-producing bacteria that can lead to decay and dysbiosis.
Eat a diet rich in fiber and polyphenols: Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains nourish beneficial microbes. Green tea and cranberries have been shown to inhibit oral pathogens.
Stay hydrated: Saliva is essential for microbial balance, buffering pH and delivering antimicrobial proteins.
Regular dental check-ups: Professional cleanings and monitoring can catch early signs of imbalance or disease.
Maintaining oral health may be a powerful, accessible way to influence whole-body health, including the brain. As research continues to reveal the whole body effects of the oral microbiome, prioritizing its care may be one of the simplest yet most profound health investments we can make.
