Taking care of your oral microbiota

Exchanging the status of “flora” for the “second brain,” the gut microbiota has become one of the stars of medical research. Every day, we discover new health implications from this vast array of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi) that colonize our gut. However, other equally important microbiota thrive in the skin, lungs, genitals, skull, feet, ears… and mouth.

The oral microbiota, with an average of 300 to 400 species that thrive in very specific environments (temperature, humidity, light), is thus the most diverse after the gut. And its proper functioning (eubiosis) or its imbalance (dysbiosis) determines the condition of the oral cavity (caries, gingivitis, periodontitis) and the bad breath from which 30% of French people suffer!

A complete morning ritual

So it is important to take care of it. Cleanliness isn’t the only determinant — genetics, age, diet, health status all come into play — but it’s a key. Some care brands, however, refer to the need for a daily oral “ritual” to maintain it, as we do for the face and, increasingly, for the hair.

Based on this observation, a dentist and cosmetic care specialist launched the start-up The Smilist. Their latest innovation, Pure Breath (available in drugstores and online since March), targets the oral ecosystem upon waking, starting with tongue brushing and scraping inspired by Ayurvedic practices, to remove bacteria that has accumulated overnight. Follow up with a mouthwash rich in prebiotics (to promote good bacteria), solidago flower (an antibacterial) and the mineral zinc to neutralize volatile sulfur compounds. We then brush our teeth and, for comfort during the day, we carry a pocket mouth spray with us.