Oral EcologiX™

The Oral Microbiome

The oral cavity is a complex ecosystem, comprising several habitats including the teeth, gums, tongue and tonsils, all colonised by bacteria. The oral microbiota consists of approximately 600 taxa at the species level, with different groups and subsets inhabiting different niches.

The microbiota of the oral cavity exists as a complex biofilm that remains stable, despite environmental changes. However, dysbiosis, in form of infection, injury, dietary changes and risk-associated factors (e.g. smoking) may disrupt the biofilm community, favouring colonisation and invasion of pathogens.

Disruption of the biofilm community to a pathogenic profile, induces host immune responses, chronic inflammation and ultimately, the development of local and systemic disease. However, much of this damage is reversible if pathogenic communities are reduced, and homeostasis is restored.

Read more about oral dysbiosis and the red, orange and bridge complexes

Methodology

Establishing a methodology that is the most accurate we currently know of in the microbiology field, and using the latest technology was absolutely critical for us in the development of the EcologiX™ profiles. For this, we established an incredibly knowledgeable and experienced Scientific Advisory Board to join the Invivo Diagnostics Laboratory team, and dedicated time and money to create profiles we are all proud of.

We use quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), using TaqMan technology, to analyse the bacterial and fungal communities of the oral cavity.

Learn more about the science behind the EcologiX™ profiles