Oral Ecologix – Oral Microbiome Check

Oral Ecologix – Oral Microbiome Check

Bacterial imbalances which start in the mouth don’t just stay in the mouth!

Our mouths have their own ecosystems made up of various habitats including the teeth, gums, tongue and tonsils which are all inhabited by bacteria, fungi and viruses. Research has shown that there are approximately 600 species in our oral cavity and the composition varies with age.

The majority of oral microbiota species exist within a complex multi-species structure termed the oral biofilm, or what we generally know as dental plaque. With regular oral hygiene this community of bacteria can be very stable.

The development of these oral biofilms is initiated by adherence of pioneer species to salivary proteins adsorbed onto tooth enamel. In healthy individuals, the oral biofilm is dominated by beneficial bacteria that maintain this balance or homeostasis through delicate interactions with host immunity and other microorganisms.

However, infection, injury, dietary changes and risk factors such as smoking can disrupt the balance of these species, resulting in a disturbance or dysbiosis and an overgrowth of potentially harmful pathogenic bacteria. This can grow and contribute to pathologies such as dental caries or periodontitis, and other more systemic conditions of disease.

Bacterial imbalances which start in the mouth don’t just stay in the mouth. Research has shown associations between periodontitis, dental caries, oral dysbiosis and conditions which include:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • IBD and IBS
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome (CS)
  • Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity
  • Bacterial endotoxemia (LPS)
  • Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
  • Adverse pregnancy outcomes
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Oral cancer
  • Rheumatoid arthritis

The profile assesses:

  • Abundance of commensal (beneficial) bacteria
  • Abundance of caries-associated bacteria (causing tooth injury)
  • Abundance of periodontitis-associated bacteria (causing oral inflammation)

Specifically looking at:

  • Campylobacter rectus
  • Fusobacterium nucleatum
  • Lactobacillus spp.
  • Parvimonas micra
  • Peptostreptococcus anaerobius
  • Prevotella intermedia
  • Streptococcus mutans
  • Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
  • Porphyromonas gingivalis
  • Tannerella forsythia
  • Treponema denticola
  • Candida albicans
  • Enterococcus faecalis
  • Capnocytophaga gingivalis

This profile requires a saliva sample.

It is not recommended that you change any prescribed or regular medications or supplements without seeking advice from a suitably qualified medical professional.

Some medications or supplements are known to have an impact on the test results. If agreed with your healthcare professional, please follow the guidelines below.

14 days prior to collecting your sample:

• Complete any courses of short term medications such as antibiotics or antifungals

7 days prior to collecting sample:

  • Discontinue (where possible) the use of anti-inflammatories
  • Complete courses of botanical antimicrobials or antifungals
  • Discontinue (where possible) use of probiotics

24 hours prior to collecting sample:

• Abstain from participation in oral sex
• Abstain from antimicrobial mouthwashes

Day of collection:

• If wearing dental prothesis, do not apply fixing cream before collecting the sample.
• 30 minutes prior to collecting the sample do not: smoke, drink, eat, chew gum or brush teeth.

Note:

• Longterm antibiotics and probiotics can be continued, but usage should be disclosed to your practitioner so they are able to interpret the results with that in mind

• Do not collect test samples if you have, or suspect you have, COVID-19. Please wait 7 days after symptoms subside before collecting your sample.

This test is suitable for all ages.

Your sample needs to arrive at the laboratory between Monday to Friday, and should be shipped within 24 hours of collection, so please plan to take your sample accordingly.

You must return your sample in the box that your test kit was sent in. This is a legal requirement and your sample may be rejected if this step is not followed.

UK:

Take the unpaid addressed mailing bag to the post office and send “Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm” on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday only.

EU and outside of the EU:

We can arrange a courier collection, or you can arrange your own if preferred please contact us  – [email protected] to discuss your requirements.

20 working days.

We will email your results to you.

Oral Ecologix – Oral Microbiome Check

PUT YOURSELF to the TEST