The bottom line to having a healthy oral microbiome is having healthy oral tissue. That’s what supports the bacteria that comprise the oral microbiome. I’ve never favored alcohol based mouthwashes because alcohol can damage the surface cells of the gums and mouth. So, it’s no surprise to me that researchers would find an aberration in the oral microbiome which such a product.

An important caveat is that we are in very early days insofar as establishing cause and effect with bacterial compositions in different parts of the body. Of course, there are such associations, but they are highly complex and individual. That’s the key. Our healthy microbiomes are matched to our genetics, so one size doesn’t necessarily fit all. And beware the snake oil salesmen and hucksters that want to sell us products to affect the microbiome and create some super health status. I’m seeing this proliferate in veterinary and human medicine. Use the buzzword “microbiome” to sell some unproven crap.