But there’s a problem.

Harmful bacteria don’t act alone – and wiping out all bacteria often creates the perfect conditions for them to come roaring back.

Emerging research suggests a smarter strategy: working with beneficial bacteria, not against them.

Periodontal Disease Is a Microbial Imbalance (not an infection)

Periodontitis is caused by bacteria, but not in the way we once thought.

Research shows that so-called “periodontal pathogens” (such as Porphyromonas gingivalis) are present in both healthy mouths and diseased ones. The difference isn’t their presence – it’s their dominance.

When harmful bacteria overwhelm beneficial species, inflammation follows. Over time, this inflammatory response damages gums, connective tissue, and bone.

This reframes periodontal disease as a problem of microbial imbalance, not simply poor hygiene.

Why Conventional Treatments Fall Short

Standard periodontal therapies — scaling, root planing, antiseptics, and antibiotics — can be effective in the short term. However, they have clear limitations:

• They remove beneficial bacteria along with harmful ones
• Pathogens often recolonise treated sites
• Antibiotic resistance is an increasing concern
• Long-term disease management relies heavily on repeated intervention

In short: we’re good at clearing the battlefield, but not at rebuilding it.

What Are Probiotics in Oral Health?

According to the World Health Organization, probiotics are “live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.”

In oral health, probiotics are typically delivered through:

• Lozenges
• Chewing gum
• Powders

Unlike antibiotics, probiotics don’t aim to sterilise the mouth. Instead, they support oral health by competing with pathogens and calming inflammation.

How Probiotics May Help Gum Health

The review highlights several mechanisms by which oral probiotics may support periodontal health:

1. Inhibiting Harmful Bacteria

Certain probiotic strains produce bacteriocins and other antimicrobial substances that suppress periodontal pathogens and interfere with plaque biofilm formation.

2. Competing for Space

Probiotics can adhere to oral tissues and dental surfaces, making it harder for harmful bacteria to colonise.

3. Reducing Inflammation

Some strains reduce inflammatory mediators such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and prostaglandins, which are linked to tissue destruction in periodontitis.

4. Supporting Bone Health

Fermentation by specific probiotic strains can generate bioactive peptides that stimulate bone-forming cells, potentially helping counter bone loss associated with advanced periodontal disease.

Evidence Across Key Oral Conditions

Gingivitis

Clinical studies reviewed showed that probiotic strains such as Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus casei were associated with:

• Reduced gingival inflammation
• Lower enzyme activity linked to tissue breakdown

Periodontitis

Healthy individuals were found to naturally harbour higher levels of beneficial lactobacilli and bifidobacteria compared to those with chronic periodontitis, suggesting these bacteria play a role in maintaining oral balance.

Halitosis

Probiotics showed particularly strong promise in managing bad breath. Strains such as Streptococcus salivarius K12 reduced volatile sulphur compounds – the primary cause of oral malodour more sustainably than chemical mouthwashes.

Bacterial Replacement Therapy: A Bigger Idea

While probiotics offer temporary support, bacterial replacement therapy aims for something more ambitious: long-term microbiome change.

Instead of ingesting bacteria, clinicians directly introduce beneficial strains into periodontal pockets after cleaning. Animal studies demonstrated:

• Reduced pocket depth
• Less bleeding
• Improved attachment levels
• Increased bone density

This approach is based on “guided recolonisation”. Deliberately rebuilding the oral ecosystem with health-associated bacteria.

Although still experimental, it represents a fundamental shift in periodontal treatment philosophy.

What This Means for the Future of Oral Care

The key insight from this research is simple but powerful:

Periodontal disease may be better managed by engineering a healthy oral microbiome, rather than repeatedly destroying it.

Probiotics are not a replacement for brushing, flossing, or professional care – but they may become valuable adjuncts in long-term gum health strategies.

Bacterial replacement therapy, while still in early stages, points to a future where dentists actively design healthier oral ecosystems.

The Bottom Line

• Periodontal disease is driven by microbial imbalance and inflammation
• Probiotics can help rebalance the oral microbiome and reduce inflammation
• Benefits are strain-specific and often require continued use
• Bacterial replacement therapy shows promise for longer-lasting effects, but needs further clinical validation

As oral health science evolves, one thing is clear: the future isn’t about killing bacteria, it’s about choosing the right ones.

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So what’s causing it – and what can be done beyond extra brushing and rinsing?

The human jaw has been shrinking through evolution. As we transitioned from hunter-gatherers to modern diets and lifestyles, our jaw size reduced, but our teeth count didn’t. This mismatch contributes to overcrowded, misaligned teeth, making orthodontics increasingly common.

In fact, over 50% of people require orthodontic treatment, according to clinical studies. Braces help correct misalignment, but they also introduce new hygiene challenges.

Why Braces Increase the Risk of Halitosis

Braces create additional surfaces and spaces where food debris and plaque can accumulate. These trapped particles are difficult to remove, even with diligent brushing and flossing.

This build-up encourages the growth of anaerobic bacteria, which produce volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) such as hydrogen sulphide and methyl mercaptan – the primary culprits behind that unpleasant “bad breath” smell.

What Are Volatile Sulphur Compounds (VSCs)?

VSCs are gases released by specific bacteria as they break down proteins in the mouth. The presence of orthodontic devices can amplify this process, especially in the absence of thorough oral care.

But what if there were a way to balance the oral microbiome to naturally reduce these bacteria?

BLIS M18, a targeted strain of Streptococcus salivarius, is a precision probiotic developed to support oral health by modulating the bacteria responsible for bad breath.

Recent studies have shown that when BLIS M18 is co-cultured with VSC-producing bacteria, it significantly reduces the levels of hydrogen sulphide and methyl mercaptan. This makes it a promising adjunct to traditional oral hygiene, especially for people wearing braces.

Clinical Evidence that BLIS M18 Works

In a randomised, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, researchers tested the effect of BLIS M18 in a group of 64 patients aged 10–30 with orthodontic braces. Participants took either BLIS M18 lozenges or a placebo daily for one month.

Key findings:

• Both groups saw reduced VSC levels at 1-month check-in.
• At the 3-month follow-up, the placebo group’s bad breath returned to baseline.
• The BLIS M18 group showed further reduction in VSCs—suggesting a long-term probiotic benefit.

Why BLIS M18 Matters for Orthodontic Patients

For dental professionals, product formulators, and caregivers, BLIS M18 offers a new way to tackle an age-old problem. It works at the microbial level, enhancing patient outcomes without altering their orthodontic routine.

It’s not just about masking bad breath—it’s about restoring microbial balance, reducing the source of halitosis, and giving patients confidence during treatment.

The evidence is clear: BLIS M18 is a clinically validated oral probiotic that reduces halitosis in individuals with braces by decreasing the production of harmful VSCs.

For brands and professionals in the oral health space, BLIS M18 provides:

• A science-backed product to complement braces-care regimens
• A differentiated solution in a competitive market
• A trustworthy alternative to temporary fixes like rinses or breath sprays
  

Ready to Innovate in Braces Care?

To learn more about integrating BLIS M18 into your product line or clinical practice, contact our team or explore our precision probiotic solutions here.

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Clinical data reveals how a targeted oral probiotic can deliver a breakthrough solution to a common problem—bad breath during orthodontic treatment.

Halitosis is an often-overlooked yet highly disruptive side effect for people wearing braces. With up to 50% of the global population undergoing orthodontic treatment at some stage in life, there’s a growing demand for non-invasive, scientifically credible solutions that go beyond traditional hygiene methods.

In this whitepaper, BLIS Technologies presents in-vitro and clinical trial evidence demonstrating how BLIS M18, a precision probiotic strain of Streptococcus salivarius, effectively reduces volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs)—the primary cause of bad breath in orthodontic patients.

Whether you’re developing new product formats or looking to differentiate with clinically validated oral care innovations, this is essential reading for formulators, brand leaders, and healthcare partners.

What You’ll Learn:

• The microbial mechanism behind halitosis in braces wearers
• Clinical study results showing sustained reduction in VSCs post-intervention
• How BLIS M18 complements oral hygiene by targeting the root microbial cause
• Opportunities for product innovation using a science-led, strain-specific probiotic
  
  

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Enter BLIS M18, a precision probiotic with targeted action against oral pathogens. Unlike generic probiotics, BLIS M18 is a native strain of Streptococcus salivarius that’s been clinically studied to shift the oral microbiome — where gum disease starts.

New Study Confirms: BLIS M18 Supports Gum Health at a Microbiological Level

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted by Wei-Ju Chen et al., BLIS M18 was shown to deliver statistically significant improvements across three key oral health metrics:

• Reduced pocket depth — a primary clinical indicator of periodontal disease
• Lower bleeding on probing and plaque index
• Sustained microbiome modulation — even after stopping treatment
  
  

Why This Matters for Innovation Teams, Product Developers & R&D Leaders

As the global market for oral probiotics grows (CAGR 7%+), manufacturers are looking for clinically validated, IP-protected ingredients that meet rising consumer expectations for efficacy, transparency, and innovation.

BLIS M18 offers:

• Clinically supported claims for gum health and microbiome balance
• Precision formulation for targeted efficacy
• Compatibility with various delivery formats (e.g., lozenges, powders, strips)

And because BLIS M18 is strain-specific and studied in human trials, it provides credible differentiation in a crowded market — exactly what formulators and brand managers need to stand out.

Curious how BLIS M18 works – and what this could mean for your product development or clinical approach?

Download the full whitepaper for all the data, charts, and implications

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From cutting-edge research to sustainable lab initiatives, their contributions are helping to shape the future of probiotics. We spoke to three team members about their career paths, the challenges they’ve navigated, and their advice for the next generation of scientists.

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in science?

SE: I enjoyed learning Science from High School. It was one of my favourite subjects. I used to admire people wearing white lab coats in the lab and doing experiments. I thought that’s pretty cool. The word “Scientist” always fascinates me and makes me feel proud.

After finishing High School, I was not sure what I wanted to do next. Genetics was my favourite, and I heard about “Dolly” (the first mammal that was cloned from an adult stomatic cell).

I wanted to do something similar and create something new to become a scientist. I wanted to pursue genetic engineering. Unfortunately, that was not an option in my hometown at that time. So I took Microbiology/Biotechnology which is similar. My very first project was working on “Recombinant DNA Technology – Genetic Manipulation of Tobacco Plant with Green Fluorescence Protein (GFP) gene through Agrobacterium mediated transformation”.

Q: What’s the most exciting or impactful project you’ve worked on at BLIS, and why?

SE: I joined BLIS Technologies in 2012 and was very fortunate to work with Dr Philip Wescombe on the Persistence trial: “Comparison of oral persistence of the probiotic BLIS K12 when delivered in different formats consisting of Lozenges, Chewing Gum, Mouthwash, Flavoured Milk, Dr Milk, Ice cream, Yoghurt and Frozen Yoghurt”.

This project gave me so much insight on the concept of “probiotics” – friendly oral bacteria that can be beneficial for human health.

Q: What challenges have you faced as a woman in science, and how have you overcome them?

SE: As a woman working in science, I’ve never had to face any challenges so far. But as a full-time working mum, I had to overcome challenges for work-life balance. This was only possible by the support of my employer (BLIS) giving me flexibility in work time. A huge thanks sincerely to my reporting managers and colleagues for your help throughout these years. Also I am thankful for the support from my family, parents, and friends.

Q: What advice would you give to young women considering a career in science?

SE: Science is an exciting world of opportunities to explore. We haven’t managed to unravel the secrets of our universe yet. If you see science as fascinating and want to make a positive impact to the world, nothing should stop you. Patience and perseverance are the key to success. Science cannot be solved immediately. The word “repeat” is something that you will see mostly every day.

Sometimes it will take many “repeats” to complete a single experiment, at least from my experience. All the very best to you all!

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in science?

AV: I have loved science from a young age and was inspired by my grandfathers who both worked in industries within the science field, with one working in healthcare and the other horticulture. They both had great passion for what they did and it seemed destined I would follow in their footsteps.

Q: What’s the most exciting or impactful project you’ve worked on at BLIS, and why?

AV: The work we have done on the M. luteus BLIS Q24 skin serum has been one of the most rewarding projects for me thus far. I started working on this project early on in my BLIS career and helped progress this from the first steps until a safe efficacious product was the result. Probiotics for skincare is in its infancy and developing one of the world’s first room-temperature, shelf-stable live probiotic skin products has been extremely challenging but equally rewarding.

Q: What challenges have you faced as a woman in science, and how have you overcome them?

AV: I think my biggest challenge was trying to work out what to study at university and what I actually wanted to do as a career. I started out with first year health science knowing I wanted a career in a health-related industry. The variety in this course allowed me to focus into microbiology and epidemiology as two of my favourite aspects of the course. I completed my BSc in Microbiology and went directly into the workforce. I got really lucky with my first couple of jobs in the food industry which covered multiple disciplines including microbiology, chemistry and quality. This broad knowledge base gathered early in my career lead to BLIS Technologies where I have been for almost 10 years.  

Q: What advice would you give to young women considering a career in science?

AV: Don’t be afraid to if you’re not sure exactly where you want go with your career. Dip your toe in with a first year course, an entry job, or an internship and find where your passion lies, (or doesn’t).

Failure can teach you more than success. It often takes a series of experiments that don’t work, adjustments and redo’s before the answer is discovered.

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in science?

NJ: Initially, I wanted to be a veterinary nurse because I was passionate about animals—I was a keen horse rider and loved being around them. That didn’t work out, but I always had a strong interest in biology. Becoming a Lab Technician appealed to my practical, hands-on nature—I knew a desk job wasn’t for me!

At 16, growing up in England, I left school and was lucky to land an apprenticeship in a lab training scheme. Over two years, I rotated through different labs, which exposed me to various fields of science. That’s when I first encountered bacteria—and I was hooked! I originally wanted to work in a bacteriology lab but ended up in tissue culture. My employer supported my education, first through a Certificate in Sciences and then a National Certificate in Science, which made securing a full-time job much easier.

Throughout my career, I’ve continued studying, with all my further education funded by my employers. One of my biggest opportunities was being one of three women sponsored to complete a science degree. When I first left school, I hadn’t considered higher education, but going back as a mature student was an advantage—I had a clear career path and a strong motivation, especially knowing my employer was investing in me.

Q: What’s the most exciting or impactful project you’ve worked on at BLIS, and why?

NJ: Two projects stand out. First, the research and development of our Synbiotic IP/patent. It was an exciting challenge—working on something new, running diverse experiments, and using my problem-solving skills to figure out different ways of conducting research. The variety of work kept it engaging, and having my name on a patent was exciting too!

Second, I initiated the My Green Lab certification for our lab—the first in New Zealand to achieve this. This was a particularly meaningful project for me because I’m passionate about sustainability, and labs generate a huge amount of waste. Knowing I played a role in making our lab more environmentally responsible was personally fulfilling.

Q: What challenges have you faced as a woman in science, and how have you overcome them?

NJ: I’ve been fortunate not to face any significant challenges as a woman in science. Work-life balance has been manageable, and I had no trouble finding part-time roles while raising young children. Both academia and commercial science have offered flexibility, though I’d say the commercial sector comes with more pressure—but also the reward of seeing your work turn into real-world products. It’s about having a job that makes you think what you do matters. I might not be helping animals but I am helping people!

Q: What advice would you give to young women considering a career in science?

NJ: Just give everything a go! Get as much hands-on experience as you can, because often it’s about being in the right place at the right time—but you need to be open to new experiences for those opportunities to arise.

Also, don’t be afraid to study later in life or change direction. There are huge advantages to being a mature student—you have more focus, a clearer sense of purpose, and often, employer support. My career has evolved through different roles and projects, but each experience has built a strong foundation of skills and knowledge that I can apply anywhere.

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5 – 7 FEBRUARY | COPENHAGEN

We’re proud to announce our support for the IPA World Congress + Probiota 2025, taking place February 5–7 in Copenhagen.

This event brings together leading minds in the microbiome industry to explore where science meets business. Here’s what’s on the agenda:

Breakthrough insights into microbiome research
Networking with global industry leaders
Talks from top experts in academia and regulation
Interactive sessions on critical topics like gut-brain health, next-gen probiotics, and European regulatory trends

If you’re attending, make sure to visit our stand. Discover how we can help drive your microbiome innovation forward.

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30-31 OCTOBER 2024 | LAS VEGAS, NV, USA

BLIS Technologies at SupplySide West 2024 – let’s connect!

We will be showcasing at SupplySide West 2024, happening October 30-31 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas. Join us at IPA Booth #5652 to explore innovative product development opportunities with our BLIS M18 and BLIS K12 advanced oral probiotics.

Learn more about SSW here >

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18-20 SEPTEMBER 2024 | BANGKOK, THAILAND

We’re looking forward to exhibiting again at Vitafoods Asia in Bangkok next month! Attending the event? Meet with us and discuss our latest probiotic developments and potential collaborations. Find us at Booth #J31B in the IPA Stand.

Learn more about Vitafoods here >

The BLIS team will be there to showcase our probiotic strains and latest scientific research behind BLIS M18 and BLIS K12.

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