Longevity Briefs: New Startups Help You Identify Your Oral Microbiome

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Longevity briefs provides a short summary of novel research in biology, medicine, or biotechnology that caught the attention of our researchers in Oxford, due to its potential to improve our health, wellbeing, and longevity.

Why is this research important: Our microbiome consists of the populations of micro-organisms that live on our bodies surfaces, whether that be the skin, the gut or other mucosal surfaces.

The oral microbiome is composed of the trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi that live in our mouth.

When the oral microbiome has the correct balance of microorganisms, it aids with the breakdown of foods, and helps fight off infection.

However, if unbalanced, it can cause damage to our teeth, cause inflammation, and it has even been associated with increased risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s and diabetes.

What did the researchers do: Companies such as Bristle and invivo healthcare offer oral microbiome testing.

By purchasing and completing one of their kits, which cost anywhere up from $50, these companies analyse your oral microbiome to detect oral diseases, like cavities and gum disease, at their earliest stages when they can be prevented or reversed.

Using this information they then help to optimise your oral health with simple at-home treatments that rebalance your oral microbiome.

Key takeaway(s) from this research: Oral health and hygiene is often an underappreciated aspect of more longevity and more general health, but one which is becoming increasingly more recognised.

Bristle and invivo provide a personalised evaluation of your oral wellbeing which can be a powerful weapon in your longevity arsenal.