MyMicrobiome Standard 43.10 – Oral microbiome

Bacteria settle in the oral mucosa, on the teeth and on the tongue. Each area is its own ecosystem with its own distinctive diversity.

Among other things, we test products for everyday use here, such as the bristles of the toothbrush, dental floss or dental care sticks. Medical wound dressings, which are mostly used after dental surgery, are also tested with the 43.10 standard.

The MyMicrobiome Standard 43.10 has defined five key microbes, all of which are streptococci:

Streptococcus mitis

Streptococcus sanguinis

Streptococcus mutans

Streptococcus salivarius

Streptococcus anginosus

The test procedure for Standard 43.10 oral microbiome

The textile product undergoes four test phases as part of the "Microbiome-friendly" certification.

1. Quality test

The quality test ensures that the textile products are sterile, and our microbiological tests can be carried out with the skin microorganisms. Therefore, textiles are washed according to the manufacturers' instructions beforehand. A screening examines the occurrence of mesophilic and aerobic microorganisms. For decontamination, the products are UV-irradiated or autoclaved. Hygiene products are sterilized through UV light exposure.

2. Balance test

The balance between the most common mouth microbe S. sanguinis and the harmful bacterium E. faecalis should not be disturbed by the textile/hygiene product. A co-culture with both bacterial strains is mixed with the textile for a certain time and then the ratio of the two microbes is compared with the untreated control group. This must not change in favor of E. faecalis under the influence of the textile product.

3. Diversity test

The microbes typical of the oral microbiome are cultivated. A co-culture of these microorganisms is added to the textile to be tested and the change in diversity is compared with the untreated control group. The diversity of the microbiome in terms of the most important key microbes must be maintained.

4. Vitality test

A microbiome-friendly product for the oral cavity should not undesirably influence the vitality of the individual microbes. This test simulates direct skin contact of the microbes - considered individually. The growth of the microorganisms is compared with an untreated control group and must neither be significantly reduced nor stimulated.