An honest review on my recent Oral Microbiome Test. Did you know your oral microbiome plays a pivotal role in blood pressure, heart health, Alzheimer’s, inflammation, cancer risk, arthritis, and even weight management?
I really wanted leave a full and honest review based on the results from my Oral Microbiome Test which I took earlier this year. One of the reasons I decided to bring this kit onboard to TESTme is because I’ve dealt with gum disease most of my adult life, and was really curious to understand the underlying role the oral microbiome might play in that.
By understanding the underlying mechanisms of this powerful ecosystem, we can gain direct insight into how these issues may develop in the body, and what we can do to stay ahead of them.
Oral Health Insights
- Dental Cavities: Good
- Periodontitis (gum disease): Good
- Gingivitis (early-stage gum inflammation): Suboptimal
- Halitosis (bad breath): Good
- Oral Biofilm Balance: Suboptimal
Systemic Health Insights
Systemic Inflammation: Good
Heart Disease Risk: Good
Pregnancy Awareness: Good
Gut-Oral Axis Disruption: Good
Cancer Risk: Good
Alzheimer’s Risk: Good
Arthritis Risk: Good
Weight Management: Good
This is all good news!!
A Few Things Stood Out
- I’m missing some of the most beneficial microbes like Actinomyces naeslundii, Streptococcus mitis and Corynebacterium matruchotii — all important for stable, protective biofilm.
- Fusobacterium nucleatum was high. This one can link early and late colonisers, but in high amounts it starts to stir up inflammation. It’s also associated with systemic inflammation and even cognitive decline in later life.
- Streptococcus salivarius: A great guy for bad breath and inflammation was really low and I’m currently working on improving this with oral probiotics.
- Enterobacter spp. A histamine-producing troublemaker was sky-high, along with Citrobacter freundii.
So it’s no wonder I’ve had gum inflammation. I can now see why I’m so reactive to certain foods, and have some lingering low-level inflammation elsewhere.
What I’ve Learned
This isn’t just about teeth and gums.
My results also gave me real insights into other important areas of my health:
- Heart health
- Alzheimer’s risk
- Arthritis and immune function
- Hormonal and metabolic health
- Weight regulation
It’s been a real eye opener, and I’m continually fascinated by this extraordinary aspect of my health.
What I’m Doing About It
This test gave me real, targeted suggestions. For example, I’m not a huge sugar fan, but I’m certainly more conscious of hidden sugars, and being more careful around this.
I’ve started oil pulling with sesame oil to support my biofilm and gently rebalance bacteria. (This is something I used to do a lot, and don’t really know why I stopped, so this has been a good reminder for me)!
I’ve started eating more chewable fermented foods and leafy, prebiotic-rich veg. They feed my oral bacteria, which then produce nitrates to help regulate blood pressure.
I’ve added a targeted oral probiotic with Streptococcus salivarius to build up the beneficial side, and I’m sipping polyphenol-rich teas like green tea and cranberry.
Conculsion
This test doesn’t just tell you if things are “off.” It digs deeper than that, integrating the best science can offer, uncovering the bacteria behind the scenes. The good guys, the troublemakers, and everything in between.
Since making changes, I’ve noticed a big improvement in how my mouth and teeth feel overall. There’s less plaque build up, and a noticeable difference in gum tenderness when I’m brushing.
All in all it’s been a really valuable learning curve, and has reassured me in many ways about my oral health and other systemic insights, which look good across the board.
If this interest you, I’d highly recommend reading some more on the suject. You’ll find everything you need to know about this fascinating topic on our Oral Miicrobiome Test Page. I hope it captures your immagination as much as it has mine!
As ever, any questions please feel free to drop me an email
Why I Recommend This Test
I created TESTme to offer the kind of testing I wish had been available to me years ago. Easy, clear, affordable. And now, having done this test myself, I can say hand on heart: it’s worth it.
If you’re someone who’s struggled with persistent gum issues, low-level inflammation, food sensitivities, or even just wants to understand your body better, this test is a great place to start.
Staying curious, and listening to your body requires being mindful. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be informed.
And that’s exactly what this test gives you.
