What is the oral microbiome – and why does it matter?

The Liz Earle Wellbeing article explains what the oral microbiome is — the diverse community of bacteria, viruses and fungi that naturally live in the mouth — and why a balanced oral ecosystem matters for both oral and whole-body health. It highlights how these beneficial microbes help protect against harmful organisms and support immune function, and how daily factors like diet (especially frequent sugar intake), stress and saliva flow can disrupt this balance and lead to issues such as gum disease, plaque buildup, bad breath and tooth sensitivity. The piece also shares simple lifestyle and oral care tips to nurture a healthy oral microbiome, including eating a plant-rich diet, managing sugar, effective plaque removal and stress reduction, emphasising the importance of maintaining microbial harmony for overall wellbeing. Read more