As oral health professionals, we have a unique opportunity to help patients see their oral health as part of a larger picture. Advice like “brush twice a day” and “clean between your teeth” is important, but when we introduce the oral microbiome into the conversation, we give patients a deeper understanding of why these habits matter.
Here are four compelling reasons to discuss the oral microbiome with your patients.
Shine a light on the connection between oral health and overall health
Despite decades of research linking oral inflammation to systemic conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes, many patients still see oral health as separate from the rest of the body.
This misconception is reinforced by the way our healthcare system is structured: If you’re ill, you see a physician, and if you have oral concerns, you visit the dentist.
By introducing the concept of the oral microbiome, you can help patients recognise that the mouth is not an isolated organ, but a dynamic ecosystem that both reflects and influences overall health. This understanding can motivate more consistent home care routines and encourage patients with systemic conditions to seek the dental support they need.
In the clip below, Dr. Doug Thompson shares why he makes the mouth–body connection a central part of his patient conversations:
Help your patients understand recurring oral health issues
When patients struggle with recurring gum inflammation or frequent cavities, an imbalance in the oral microbiome is often a key culprit. Yet it is rarely addressed in chairside conversations.
That is why it is so important to go beyond simply telling patients what to do, but also help them understand why they should do it. Practical advice on improving their oral care routine is far more effective when patients understand the underlying reason: to restore balance to the ecosystem of microorganisms that inhabit their mouths.
This understanding can also encourage patients to work with you on a more tailored prevention strategy — from more targeted home care techniques, such as interdental brushing, to regular professional interventions, to dietary changes that can promote a healthier oral microbial balance.
Foster open, non-judgmental conversations about diet
While most patients have heard that “sugar is bad for your teeth,” the impact of other dietary habits is commonly overlooked. Habits that can negatively affect the oral microbiome include:
- Frequent snacking, which reduces the natural recovery time the mouth needs to neutralise the acids produced by the sugar-loving bacteria
- Low water intake reduces saliva production, which is essential for washing away food debris and neutralising acids in the mouth
Framing these habits in terms of supporting a balanced oral microbiome can make them much clearer and more meaningful for patients.
Importantly, conversations about diet can be tricky to navigate, as the topic is often surrounded by social stigmas. They are easily shame-inducing. However, if the topic is centred around the microbiome itself, we invite patients into a collaborative, curious dialogue: How is the mouth’s ecosystem affected by the food we eat? What can we do to support a healthy balance?
This reframing can help normalise the conversation around diet and oral health, making it relevant to all patients, including those with good oral health.
Give patients another reason to practice good oral hygiene
Effective daily oral care is the cornerstone of prevention, and patients are more likely to stay committed to their routine when they have a clear, personal reason to do so. Highlighting the oral microbiome as a tangible and modifiable aspect of their health reinforces the importance of plaque control and interdental cleaning.
When patients understand that disrupting biofilm supports not only their oral health but also their overall well-being, they may feel more invested in maintaining these habits. In this way, the oral microbiome becomes more than a buzzword: It becomes a practical and empowering concept that reinforces the value of preventive care.