Last week at the LUNA Day summit in Berlin, we sat in on a fascinating panel, "Microbiome - Small Things, Big Impact." Three experts – dentist Dr Diana Kessler, pediatric dermatologist Dr Tatjana Braun, and Curaden's Bruno Affentranger – shared eye-opening insights into our microbial inhabitants. Right from the start, they proved that much of what we think we know about the microbiome is simply wrong.

💥🤯 Myths debunked

Surprise: Our microbiome weighs only 200-500 grams, not the often-cited 2 kilograms. The ratio of microbes to human cells is also 1:1, not 10:1 as frequently claimed. Microbiome research has existed since 1907 – so it's not a young field at all.

And here's the really good news: More important than a supposedly "perfect" composition is, above all, the diversity of our microbial inhabitants.

🧬👶 The magical first 1,000 days

Dr Braun explained that microbes are already present in amniotic fluid, training the baby's immune system. Breast milk delivers an impressive 10 million microbes per millilitre, plus the right nutrition for these tiny helpers. A natural birth transfers important microbes from mother to child.

The expert's tip: Antibiotics should be avoided as much as possible in the first two years of life, as they have a lasting impact on microbiome development.

🦷⚠️ Oral health is key

This is where it got really exciting: Dr Kessler emphasised that the mouth is the second most important microbiome location after the gut. The sobering truth? 45% of the world's population suffers from oral diseases, while only 2.5% live cavity-free.

There are consequences: Poor oral health is directly linked to higher mortality, accelerated Alzheimer's progression, and cardiovascular disease, as bacteria can enter the bloodstream directly.

🥕💚 What really helps

For oral health, Dr Kessler recommends daily cleaning of all interdental spaces – interdental brushes are often more effective than floss. Hard foods like carrots and kohlrabi work like natural toothbrushes.

For skin care, Dr Braun has clear recommendations: Shower below 37°C for under 10 minutes, moisturise immediately afterwards, and use pH-neutral, fragrance-free products.

Both experts also emphasised the importance of nasal breathing and a plant-rich diet.

🦠💪 The good news

Dr Braun had something comforting to share at the end: The skin microbiome is amazingly resilient and recovers after disruptions. So it's never too late to do something good for your microbiome health.