Oral Microbiome Testing at Holistic Dental Centre

This is much more than basic screening. We use advanced sequencing methods (Shotgun Metagenomics and gene sequencing) to identify a full spectrum of microorganisms in your saliva — bacteria, fungi, archaea — often classified down to species level.

Here’s what the test typically covers:

• Pathogens associated with disease — for example, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and others known to link with gum disease, systemic inflammation, or even distant organ effects
• Opportunistic / dysbiosis-linked microbes — species that may not be harmful in low numbers but become problematic when overrepresented
• Beneficial or “friendly” microbes — those that help maintain healthy balance, support mucosal immunity, and contribute to oral resilience
• Quantitative data & diversity metrics — how abundant certain species are, how balanced your microbial community is, and how you compare to healthy norms
• Virulence / pathogenic features — genes or functional markers that hint at microbial aggressiveness or biofilm potential

Your results come in a clear, visually understandable report. We interpret them together, contextualise them with your clinical picture, and map out a path forward.

1. Preparation — Avoid eating, brushing, mouthwash for ~30 minutes before collection
2. Sample collection — We take a small saliva (or oral rinse) sample in-clinic
3. Laboratory sequencing & analysis — The sample undergoes deep sequencing, microbial classification, and functional annotation
4. Report & consultation — In ~3–4 weeks, you receive a detailed report. We review it with you, highlighting imbalances, red flags, and opportunities
5. Personalised action plan — Based on your report, we may recommend:
• Targeted hygiene protocols
• Prebiotic / probiotic therapies
• Dietary adjustments (reducing fermentable sugars, enhancing polyphenols, fibre)
• Supportive systemic / nutritional strategies
• Retesting to track progress over time