BLIS Probiotics for Oral Health*

While many people think of their microbiome as localized to the gut, the human body is a diverse collection of microbial ecosystems, each with its own species, conditions, and needs. Just as the health of one ecosystem can cause ripple effects across other environments, so can the health of each microbiome in your body. And the gatekeeper to these vital microbial environments can be found in your mouth.

Your oral microbiome—a collection of bacterial colonies residing on your teeth, gums, and tongue—is your body’s first line of defense against pathogens. We’re learning more and more about how this microbiome contributes to systemic health conditions.^{1 But maintaining the health of this ecosystem isn’t as simple as brushing your teeth: The oral microbiome needs a precise balance of beneficial bacteria to perform at its best.}

That’s why certain probiotic supplements contain targeted strains specific to the environments across your body, including your oral microbiome. These probiotic supplements are formulated with the precise strains—known as BLIS strains—that are most sought by dental professionals for their oral health benefits.*

The Oral Microbiome

Your oral microbiome is the second-most diverse in your body, home to over 700 species of bacteria.² These bacteria are responsible for everything from initiating digestion to protecting the health of your teeth and gums. And while signs of oral microbial dysbiosis often manifest immediately in the mouth—including increased plaque growth, bad breath, oral thrush, and bleeding gums—evidence shows that oral microbiota plays a role in other systemic health issues, including cardiovascular and digestive conditions.^3-6

New frontiers of dental research are beginning to concentrate more on the intricacies of the oral microbiome, with the goal of using the bacteria found in your mouth to determine the impact these strains can have on influencing systemic health issues in the rest of the body.⁷

What Are Probiotics for Oral Health?

This “oral first” approach to overall health means looking for targeted ways to support the community of microbes in your mouth and oral cavity. While brushing often, flossing, and attending regular dental cleanings and checkups are essential to good dental health, the balance of bacteria in your oral microbiome plays a huge (and invisible) role.

Researchers are particularly interested in the role of specific bacteria that have been shown to support oral health. Introducing these “good” bacterial strains can enable them to outcompete the pathogenic bacteria that contribute to oral diseases such as periodontal disease, tooth decay, cavities, and bad breath.⁸ Supporting these microbial colonies can also benefit the health of your ear, nose, and throat cavities, which are vital in supporting your immune system.*

These probiotics can introduce beneficial bacteria to your mouth, nose, throat, ears, and sinuses. This “good” bacteria work to rebalance your oral microbiome and produce specialized healthy metabolites that consistently work to support health.⁹*

BLIS Probiotics: Best Bacteria for Oral Health*

Among oral probiotics, certain strains of Streptococcus salivarius, known as BLIS strains, are recommended by health professionals in the dental field. These BLIS strains have been studied for two primary functions that support oral health: Crowding out the harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay and bad breath and releasing a specialized enzyme that targets those same bacteria and inhibits their growth.⁸*

While S. salivarius is extremely beneficial for dental health, it occurs naturally in our bodies only in small amounts—and that’s why taking an oral probiotic that contains this bacteria can be such a powerful addition to your wellness routine. Hyperbiotics’ dental probiotic supplements include S. salivarius in the form of two proprietary BLIS strains—BLIS K12™ and BLIS M18™.*

1. S. salivarius K12 (BLIS K12) is a scientifically tested strain that naturally occurs in the oral cavity to provide specific immune support in the mouth and throat. BLIS K12 colonizes the oral cavity by attaching to cells to outcompete “bad” bacteria in a process known as bacterial interference. This has many beneficial effects, including freshening breath, crowding out bacteria that cause localized infections, and supporting your immune system response. One recent study showed increased immune cells after only seven days of taking probiotics containing BLIS K12.¹⁰*
2. S. salivarius M18 (BLIS M18) is an advanced oral probiotic that targets the bacteria that cause changes in oral health and lead to plaque build-up. It produces four potent antimicrobial proteins that inhibit dental caries, gingivitis, and periodontal pathogens.¹¹ In addition, BLIS M18 produces enzymes that can counteract plaque formation and saliva acidity.¹¹ One 2021 study showed that patients taking probiotics containing BLIS M18 experienced a significant improvement in oral health over three months.¹¹*

Hyperbiotics dental products, including PRO-Dental Probiotic Mint Chewable Tablets, contain high amounts of these BLIS strains for targeted oral support. In addition to these probiotic powerhouses, our PRO-Dental also contains Bifidobacterium lactis HOWARU® Bifido HN019 for immune support in the gut, and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14®, which plays an important role in health and immune defense.*

Our children’s probiotic formulation with BLIS strains, Pro-Kids ENT, targets the entire upper respiratory system through the oral microbiome for immune, ear, nose, and throat support with strains that begin to colonize in your child's oral cavity within just 24 hours.*

In one study, children who took probiotics containing BLIS K12 showed a 90% reduction in ear, nose, and throat infections over the previous year.¹²*

A Dairy-Free Alternative

Until recently, these unique BLIS strains were grown on a dairy medium; however, thanks to recent innovations, we are able to produce BLIS strains in a dairy-free, vegan formulation. This makes PRO-Dental and PRO-Kids ENT the first dental-specific probiotics to use dairy-free BLIS strains.

PRO-Dental and PRO-Kids ENT are also formulated as chewable tablets, as studies show that dental probiotics are most effective when delivered directly to the mouth.¹³ Don’t worry about getting your kids to take their medicine: PRO-Kids ENT is a tiny yet tasty strawberry-vanilla tablet that is sugar-free, gluten-free, and now dairy-free.*

Summary

Your health starts with your oral microbiome, which is why Hyperbiotics has created targeted dental probiotics that provide the most sought-after dental strains in effective delivery methods designed to meet the needs of your busy life.*

Thanks to our proprietary delivery method, Hyperbiotics probiotics are shelf-stable, requiring no refrigeration and making it easy to fit them seamlessly into your daily oral care routine. By supporting the bacterial colonies in your oral microbiome, you can address common dental issues like bad breath and tooth decay, provide yourself with immune support, and support a healthy smile at its roots.*

Shop Dental Probiotics with BLIS strains

References

1. Willis JR et al. Microorganisms. 2020;8(2):308.
2. Mahasneh SA et al. Dent J. 2017;5(4):26.
3. Chen B et al. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):17126.
4. Cobb CM et al. Int J Womens Health. 2017;9:551-559.
5. Bryan NS et al. Curr Hypertens Rep. 2017;19(4):33.
6. Ray K. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017;14(12):690.
7. Li Y et al. Nature. 2022;13:1010368.
8. Burton JP et al. J Med Microbiol. 2013;62(Pt 6):875-884.
9. Chugh P et al. Journal of Functional Foods. 2020;70:103985.
10. Laws GL et al. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2021;13(6):1521-1529.
11. Poorni S et al. Cureus. 2022;14(3):e23282.
12. Di Pierro F et al. Drug Healthc Patient Saf. 2014;6:15-20.
13. Laleman et al. Quintessence Int. 2015;46(3):255-264