Nutrition x Oral Health: The Next Frontier in Functional Wellness

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 September 15, 2025

As the boundaries between personal care and nutrition continue to blur, oral health is emerging as a compelling new frontier in the wellness space. Consumers are increasingly aware of the oral-systemic connection, and with that awareness comes a growing interest in nutritional strategies to support oral health from within. While brushing and flossing remain foundational, the future of oral care may lie in the supplement aisle.

The Oral-Systemic Connection

The oral cavity is a dynamic ecosystem, home to over 700 microbial species.¹ Disruptions in this microbiome have been linked to systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even cognitive decline.² As such, maintaining oral health is no longer just about preventing cavities—it’s about supporting whole-body wellness.

This shift in perspective has opened the door for nutritional interventions that go beyond traditional oral care formats. Functional ingredients that support the oral microbiome, strengthen enamel, and modulate inflammation are gaining traction in supplements, functional foods, and confections.

Portfolio Spotlight: Ingredients for Oral Health

Group of happy young friends having fun outdoors

Omyadent® 100 (Hydroxyapatite and Calcium Carbonate)

Hydroxyapatite, the primary mineral component of tooth and bone, has been extensively studied for its remineralization properties. While most research focuses on topical applications in toothpaste or mouthwash, benefits have also been demonstrated when delivered by chewing gum and lozenges. Mankar et al. studied the effect of using a lozenge containing 2.5% hydroxyapatite on plaque pH following a sucrose (sugar) challenge. The study found that using the lozenge helped to recover plaque pH above the critical pH of 5.5 about 33% faster than saliva alone.³ Another study investigated whether or not a chewing gum containing hydroxyapatite could aid in the relief of hypersensitivity, and found statistically significant reductions after 2 weeks of 3 times daily use compared to both the baseline and placebo group. ⁴ Calcium carbonate, a common source of dietary calcium, also contributes to maintaining optimal pH levels in the oral cavity by acting as a buffering agent in cariogenic biofilms.5

PlanORAL® (Cistus and Skullcap extracts proprietary blend)

PlanORAL® is a proprietary blend of hydroalcoholic extracts from Cistus × incanus and Scutellaria lateriflora, two botanicals rich in polyphenols and flavonoids. Recent research has demonstrated both in vitro and clinical efficacy. In vitro, the combination showed synergistic antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against Porphyromonas gingivalis, a key pathogen in periodontal disease. The extracts reduced bacterial invasiveness and biofilm mass by up to 80%.6 Clinically, researchers found that daily use of PlanORAL® chewing gum for 3 months significantly reduced gingival bleeding and inflammation.7

PLANoral bacterial grow inhibition graph

L-Arginine

L-arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that plays a key role in nitric oxide (NO) production. In the oral cavity, arginine metabolism by oral bacteria produces ammonia which can increase the pH of the biofilm and promote the development of arginolytic biofilms over cariogenic biofilms.8 This creates an environment that prevents tooth mineral loss and supports oral health. A study investigating the use of a lozenge containing 2% prebiotic arginine and probiotic species found a significant reduction in caries in the population using the lozenge.9

Frutafit® Chicory Root Inulin

Inulin, a prebiotic fiber derived from chicory root, is well-known for its gut health benefits, and its role in oral care is also gaining attention. A 2023 in vitro study by Gupta et al. demonstrated that inulin selectively inhibited the growth of pathogenic oral bacteria while promoting potentially beneficial lactobacillus species.10 Although more research is necessary, the combination of prebiotic inulin fiber and beneficial probiotic lactobacillus species is a promising approach to influencing the composition of oral biofilms.

Conclusion

The convergence of nutrition and oral care is more than a passing trend—it’s a reflection of evolving consumer values and scientific understanding. Omya offers compelling mechanisms to support oral health, with ingredients like Omyadent®, PlanORAL®, l-arginine, and chicory root inulin. As research continues to uncover the systemic implications of oral wellness, the demand for functional nutrition solutions in this space is poised to grow.

Consumers are ready. The science is catching up. And the opportunity for innovation is wide open.

References

  1. Escapa IF, Chen T, Huang Y, Gajare P, Dewhirst FE, Lemon KP. New Insights into Human Nostril Microbiome from the Expanded Human Oral Microbiome Database (eHOMD): a Resource for the Microbiome of the Human Aerodigestive Tract. mSystems. 2018;3(6):e00187-18.
  2. Hou K, Wu ZX, Chen XY, et al. Microbiota in health and diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2022;7(1):135.
  3. Mankar S, Amaechi BT, Kanthaiah K, Iftikhar N, Obiefuna AC. Clinical Evaluation of the Effect of Nanohydroxyapatite Lozenge on the pH of Dental Plaque. Clin Cosmet Investig Dent. 2024;16:285-293. Published 2024 Sep 3.
  4. Porciani PF, Chazine M, Grandini S. A clinical study of the efficacy of a new chewing gum containing calcium hydroxyapatite in reducing dentin hypersensitivity. J Clin Dent. 2014;25(2):32-6.
  5. Meyer F, Enax J, Epple M, Amaechi BT, Simader B. Cariogenic Biofilms: Development, Properties, and Biomimetic Preventive Agents. Dent J (Basel). 2021;9(8):88. Published 2021 Aug 3.
  6. Ullah H, et al. In Vitro Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Properties of Cistus and Scutellaria Extracts. Foods. 2023;12(1826).
  7. Di Minno A, Ullah H, De Lellis LF, et al. Efficacy and Tolerability of a Scutellaria lateriflora L. and Cistus × incanus L.-Based Chewing Gum on the Symptoms of Gingivitis: A Monocentric, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Nutrients. 2024;16(6):862. Published 2024 Mar 16.
  8. Nascimento MM. Potential Uses of Arginine in Dentistry. Adv Dent Res. 2018;29(1):98-103.
  9. Pørksen CJ, Keller MK, Damholt A, et al. The effect of a lozenge combining prebiotic arginine and probiotics on caries increment in children during 10-12 months, a randomized clinical trial. J Dent. 2023;135:104599.
  10. Gupta A, et al. Role of Prebiotic Inulin Extracted from Chicory Root in Oral Care: In-vitro Study. Indian J Appl Microbiol. 2023;25(1).
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