Oral Microbiome Test

The oral microbiome is the collection of microorganisms — mostly bacteria — that live in your mouth. It plays a significant role in both oral and overall health, influencing everything from gum disease and tooth decay to systemic conditions like cardiovascular disease and even Alzheimer’s.

This test uses a simple saliva sample to map your entire oral microbial community using shotgun metagenomics — the most comprehensive sequencing technology available, detecting bacteria, fungi, archaea, and viruses down to species and strain level.

Results include microbial balance, pathogen detection, disease risk scores, functional gene analysis, and personalised recommendations — all in a single report.

Buy now - £302 Sample report

Who can benefit from the Oral Microbiome Test?

This test can benefit anyone looking to understand their oral health at a deeper level — from people optimising preventive care to those investigating chronic symptoms linked to the mouth-body connection.

You may benefit from this test if you experience any of the following:

Systemic conditions associated with oral dysbiosis:

Cardiovascular disease
Type 2 diabetes
Autoimmune conditions
Rheumatoid arthritis
Alzheimer’s disease or cognitive decline
Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s / ulcerative colitis)
Adverse pregnancy history (preterm birth, low birth weight)
Recurrent tonsillitis

Oral symptoms:

Frequent tooth decay or cavities
Sensitive teeth
Bleeding or inflamed gums
Persistent bad breath (halitosis)
Yellow film or plaque build-up
Fuzzy texture on teeth
Dry mouth or thick saliva

Other reasons to test:

Post-antibiotic recovery
Preventive health optimisation
Monitoring the effects of dietary or lifestyle changes

“The oral microbiome is now recognised as a window into systemic health. Oral pathogens have been directly linked to cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.”

What does the Oral Microbiome Test measure?

The report is divided into six key sections:

Microbiome balance
An overview of the proportion of commensal (beneficial), pathogenic, and opportunistic bacteria in your sample, compared against a healthy reference population. Results are shown as percentage breakdowns with normal ranges.
Pathogens (25 organisms screened)
Checks your sample for 25 microbes with proven pathogenic potential. Only those detected are reported. Includes well-known oral pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Streptococcus mutans, and Tannerella forsythia — organisms linked to gum disease, tooth decay, and systemic conditions.
Opportunistic Pathogens (16 organisms screened)

Microbes that are harmless at low levels but can drive disease if their populations rise. Includes Fusobacterium nucleatum (linked to colorectal cancer and preterm birth), Prevotella histicola, and Limosilactobacillus fermentum.
Commensal Bacteria
Levels of beneficial species normally found in a healthy mouth. Includes Streptococcus salivarius, Rothia mucilaginosa, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, and Neisseria species. Low levels of these organisms may indicate microbiome imbalance.
Disease Risk Scores
Composite risk scores for four conditions — dental caries, gum disease, halitosis, and oral thrush — combining microbial levels with any symptoms you report when registering your sample.
Microbiome balance
Directly detects which metabolic genes are present in your microbiome, revealing what it is functionally capable of. Currently reported functions include:
- Sugar Degradation Capacity (linked to caries risk)
- Acid Production Potential (linked to enamel erosion)

Want the full marker list?

View a sample report to see exactly what’s included and how results are presented.

Sample collection & shipping

The Oral Microbiome Test uses a saliva sample collected at home using the kit sent to you. Full instructions are included in your kit and the whole process takes only a few minutes.

How it works:

Order your test
Receive your kit in the post (allow 3 working days)
Register your sample
Collect your sample following the step-by-step instructions in your kit
Ship them back using a prepaid Royal Mail return label — ideally on Monday or Tuesday
Receive your results — typically 3 weeks from when the lab receives your samples

Pre-testing instructions

Do not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum, or brush your teeth for at least 30 minutes before collecting your sample.
It is generally advisable to wait at least 4 weeks after completing a course of antibiotics before testing, as antibiotics significantly alter the oral microbiome and may give a misleading result.
Do not use a mouthwash for at least 24 hours before collecting the sample.

What happens when your results are ready?

Your sample analysis typically takes 3 weeks once it reaches the lab in the UK. Once the results are ready, I’ll email them to you in the format seen in the sample report.

Please note that the price of the Oral Microbiome Test does not cover the time needed to interpret the results. It’s essential to interpret the results alongside your symptoms, medication, diet, and lifestyle. When I share your results with you, you’ll have an option to book a consultation (£180). During this session, we’ll go through your results together in detail — looking at which patterns are elevated, what they might mean for your specific symptoms, and what personalised steps you can take to support your gut health.

FAQs

How long does it take to get results?

Once your sample reaches the lab, analysis typically takes 15 working days. I’ll email you the results, usually within 3 weeks of shipping.

What’s the best day to collect my sample?

Monday or Tuesday – this ensures your sample reaches the lab without sitting over a weekend, which could affect its quality.

Is the test available outside the UK?

Yes, it is, but please get in touch to discuss options and shipping costs, as they differ country by country.

Is results interpretation included in the price?

The test price covers the kit, testing, and shipping. Interpreting your results is a separate step — once they’re ready, you’ll have the option to book a results consultation with me (£180). During this session, we’ll go through your findings in detail and I’ll put together personalised recommendations tailored to your specific symptoms, diet, and lifestyle.

Is this a clinical diagnosis?

No. This test is a risk assessment and microbiome analysis tool. Results should be discussed with a qualified healthcare practitioner or dentist before making any treatment decisions.

Do I need a doctor’s referral?

No referral is needed. You can order directly through this page.

What technology is used?

Salient Bio Oral Microbioem test uses shotgun metagenomics sequences, which is a cutting-edge method for analysing all DNA within a sample, detecting every organism present without a predefined list. It also provides functional gene data — revealing what your microbiome is metabolically capable of — which is not possible with PCR or 16S.

Where is my sample analysed?

Your sample is analysed by Salient Bio, a London Testing Lab based in Bermondsey, London, UK.

Buy now - £302

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