The perception of oral care as simple daily hygiene is transforming. Consumers are now embracing it as a cornerstone of holistic health, beauty and longevity, and the conversation is shifting from preventing cavities to understanding the mouth as a gateway to the entire body. Thus, oral health is seen as the first step in a proactive wellness strategy, with deep connections to systemic health, inflammation and even the aging process itself.
Botanical extracts: Carroll points to a wealth of opportunity in botanicals. "Botanical extracts and bioactive compounds are advancing oral care, with studies into catechins/EGCGs (green tea), procyanidins (cranberry), lycopene (tomato seeds/skins) … [and] curcumin (turmeric)," she says.
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The perception of oral care as simple daily hygiene is transforming. Consumers are now embracing it as a cornerstone of holistic health, beauty and longevity, and the conversation is shifting from preventing cavities to understanding the mouth as a gateway to the entire body. Thus, oral health is seen as the first step in a proactive wellness strategy, with deep connections to systemic health, inflammation and even the aging process itself.
The transformation of this market is driven by the consumer focus on health as well as brand innovation and scientific discovery. For example, emerging research suggests the state of gums and oral microbiome may influence everything from heart health to cognitive function.1-5 As a result, daily brushing, flossing and rinsing are being reframed as powerful "biohacks" for a longer, healthier life.
With the help of four industry insiders — Puneet Nanda of the brand GuruNanda, Jason Nesta of Omya Inc., Lisa Carroll of Native Extracts and Jan Philipp Rüßmann of Symrise — this article explores the rise of oral care as a pillar of the wellness movement. It examines the science connecting oral health to whole-body vitality, highlights innovative ingredients and technologies shaping the industry, and looks to the future where a trip to the dentist could be as much about longevity as it is about teeth cleaning.
The Mouth-Body Connection: A Gateway to Systemic Health
The notion that the mouth-body connection can influence chronic disease, inflammation and overall well-being is not new. Puneet Nanda, CEO and founder of GuruNanda, an ayurvedic-focused manufacturer of oral care and other products, emphasizes its roots in ancient wisdom.
"Oral care is foundational to wellness. The mouth is the gateway to the body — oral inflammation has been linked to heart disease, Alzheimer’s and gut dysbiosis," he explains.
"At GuruNanda, we see oral care as step one in any longevity routine. It’s not just about fresh breath, it’s about supporting your microbiome, reducing systemic inflammation and promoting nitric oxide flow. [This] means better blood pressure, heart health and overall body health. Ayurveda has always known this — the mouth is not separate from the body; it’s the beginning of whole-body health."
This perspective is strongly supported by modern science. Jason Nesta, personal care market development and innovation manager at Omya Inc., points to the growing body of research. "Beneath the surface, researchers are unraveling connections between oral and systemic health," he notes.
"Periodontal disease is associated with cardiovascular disease; there is a bidirectional relationship between periodontitis and diabetes; and dysbiosis of the oral microbiome has been linked to systemic inflammation and related conditions. Mounting evidence supporting these oral systemic connections is causing consumers to reconsider oral care routines and especially how products impact the oral microbiome."
Jan Philipp Rüßmann, marketing director of the global oral care business unit for Symrise, adds that “oral care is integral to wellbeauty and longevity, linking aesthetics with systemic health. A healthy smile and fresh breath support confidence, while good oral hygiene reduces risks of inflammation, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cognitive decline.”
He also notes that emerging “dental beauty” trends combine whitening, microbiome balance and gum health with wellness rituals, “positioning oral care as both a cosmetic and preventive health investment, essential for well aging and holistic vitality.”
Oral Care as a Beauty and Wellness Ritual
“Functional oral care products may even support overall resilience, cognitive health and cardiovascular wellness, positioning the mouth as a measurable gateway to long-term vitality.”Image by geargodz at Adobe Stock
As the science becomes clearer, the perception of oral care is evolving: from a clinical necessity to a desirable wellness ritual. This positions oral health as an essential part of self-care and aesthetic enhancement.
Lisa Carroll, director at Native Extracts, sees this as a major market shift. "Oral health is now being recognized as a new cornerstone in wellbeauty and longevity," she says. "As consumers embrace preventative wellness, oral care is being reframed as both a functional habit and a beauty ritual, supporting a radiant smile, healthy gums and a resilient body from the inside out."
This reframing is evident on retail shelves and social media feeds. “There’s a split,” observes Nanda. “Some brands push the clinical side — like Colgate Renewal or Crest Densify with fluoride and peroxide — while others go natural, using ingredients like hydroxyapatite, essential oils or botanical extracts.”
Many brands are moving away from purely sterile, clinical messaging and embracing aesthetics, sensory experiences and holistic benefits. Rüßmann has experienced this repositioning.
"Oral care brands are recasting themselves as wellness players, highlighting holistic, microbiome-friendly, natural and sensory-rich rituals over basic hygiene," he states. "Innovation includes pro- and prebiotic formulas, clean-beauty concepts, smart devices, eco packaging and indulgent sensory experiences that elevate oral care into self-care."
This trend is validated by major retailers like Ulta Beauty, which now features an expanded oral care section within its dedicated Wellness Shop. The inclusion of brands like GuruNanda, known for its TikTok-famous ayurvedic oil pullinga blends such as CocoMint, signals a significant consumer shift.
Laura Beres, vice president of wellness merchandising at Ulta Beauty, explained the strategy: "At Ulta Beauty, we’re committed to expanding what wellness means for our guests — inside and out. Oral care is an important part of that journey, and we’re excited to welcome GuruNanda’s innovative, ayurvedic-rooted formulas into our growing wellness assortment."
Innovations in Ingredients and Technology
This new wellness-focused era of oral care is powered by significant advancements in both ingredients and technology. Brands are moving "beyond the brush" to offer sophisticated formulas that work with the body's natural biology rather than against it.
Microbiome-Friendly Formulas
A central theme is the focus on the oral microbiome. “Brands are leveraging pre-, pro- and postbiotics to restore balance and resilience, mirroring the skin microbiome movement,” notes Carroll. Instead of harsh antiseptics that kill all bacteria, new products aim to foster a balanced and healthy oral ecosystem.
"At GuruNanda, we don’t believe in killing 99.9% of anything — we believe in nurturing what’s already good," says Nanda. This can be achieved through prebiotic ingredients like xylitol and inulin, and probiotics like the heat-treated Lactobacilli in Symrise's SymReboot OC (INCI: Acacia Senegal Gum (and) Lactobacillus Ferment), which reportedly soothes gums and strengthens the oral mucosa barrier.
“A microbiome-friendly positioning is most often supported by the absence of ingredients considered to be potentially harmful to the oral microbiome, such as alcohol, sodium lauryl sulfate, preservatives and even fluoride,” adds Nesta. “Many brands are also expanding their oral care product line to include a probiotic supplement.”
Science-Backed Botanicals and Minerals
Ingredients backed by clinical data are also driving the oral wellness movement.
- Hydroxyapatite (HAp): This naturally occurring mineral form of calcium apatite comprises the mineral component of human teeth and bones. Nesta notes its rapid growth: "HAp is one of the fastest growing technologies in oral care. According [Mintel], the number of new oral hygiene product launches containing HAp has increased every year since 2021. … This comes as fluoride is undergoing increased public scrutiny because of potential health impacts due to overexposure."
- Hyaluronic acid: Known for its skin-plumping benefits, this ingredient is now being used in oral care for its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties.
Botanical extracts: Carroll points to a wealth of opportunity in botanicals. "Botanical extracts and bioactive compounds are advancing oral care, with studies into catechins/EGCGs (green tea), procyanidins (cranberry), lycopene (tomato seeds/skins) … [and] curcumin (turmeric)," she says.
She also highlights emerging Australian naturals like river mint (rosmarinic acid), mountain pepper berry (antioxidants, polygodial), aniseed myrtle (quercetin, procyanidins), kakadu plum (ascorbic acid) and emu bush (verbascoside), among others.
Nesta adds chamomile (bisabolol), licorice root (glycyrrhizin) and aloe vera to the list – as well as myrrh. These are used for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Nanda additionally highlights l-arginine to boost nitric oxide and balance the oral pH, vitamins D3, K2 and E to support mucosa and enamel health, and distilled essential oils and lipid carriers for oil pulling to target gum support. Technologies in botanical extraction to advance the delivery of polyphenols, flavonoids, ascorbic acid and terpenes in support of the oral microbiome are another related area of innovation, per Carroll.
Lessons from Scarless Healing
Interestingly, the remarkable healing properties of the mouth are also informing other areas of science. A recent preclinical study published in Science Translational Medicine identified a molecular pathway in oral mucosa responsible for its ability to heal rapidly and without scarring.6 The study found that a signaling axis involving GAS6 and its receptor AXL suppresses the activation of focal adhesion kinase, which is linked to fibrosis.
When researchers activated this pathway in skin wounds, it mimicked the scar-free healing observed in the mouth. This discovery not only highlights the unique regenerative capacity of oral tissues, but also opens potential avenues for advanced wound healing in both therapeutic and cosmetic applications.
The Future of Oral Care: Personalized, Proactive and Eco-conscious
Experts agree that the integration of oral care into the broader wellness landscape is just beginning. The future points toward a highly personalized, preventative and data-driven approach.
Nesta envisions it will emerge as a holistic routine. "Oral care will continue to expand ‘beyond the brush’," he predicts. "Toothpaste will remain at the core... but emerging formats like serums and masks will continue to grow and allow consumers to individualize their routines. Pairing these products with tools like saliva test kits and connected devices with AI will provide personalized feedback and allow consumers to track improvements in their oral health, and potentially their overall health."
This vision of a tech-integrated future is shared by Carrol, who foresees AI-enabled toothbrushes that detect plaque and gum inflammation, accompanied by coaching techniques. “The category is set to expand into AI diagnostics linking oral biomarkers with holistic wellness metrics,” Carroll projects. Nanda additionally believes daily routines will include diagnostic devices that track oral and systemic health, as well as microbiome-balancing rinses and remineralizing sprays.
According to Carroll, as beauty’s next frontier, oral care innovation is “thriving, with premium flavors, botanical swaps, microbiome-friendly formulas and design-led packaging that integrates into beauty rituals.” She points to Lovebyt at Mecca, Hismile and Spotlight Oral Care as examples delivering science, ethics and well-being to Gen Z and millennial consumers. Carroll adds that water-wise formats and compostable refillable packaging are improving the sustainability of products. “Dissolvable tooth-tabs, waterwise gels and rinse-free sprays make botanically enriched oral care portable and appealing to eco-minded users.”
“Brands are leveraging pre-, pro- and postbiotics to restore balance and resilience, mirroring the skin microbiome movement." Instead of harsh antiseptics that kill all bacteria, new products aim to foster a balanced and healthy oral ecosystem.Image by eddows at Adobe Stock
“Under the wellness umbrella, Symrise supports oral care with both flavor technologies and active ingredients,” shares Rüßmann, highlighting Optacool Fuji for a cooling, confident boost; Optaflow to stimulate saliva flow, supporting a thoroughly clean and moisturized mouthfeel; and Optafresh D to combat odor-causing bacteria. Integrated into aromas, these flavor technologies enhance sensory and functional benefits.
Ultimately, oral care is evolving into a foundation of proactive health strategies focused on lifespan and "healthspan" — the period of life spent in good health. “Functional oral care products may even support overall resilience, cognitive health and cardiovascular wellness, positioning the mouth as a measurable gateway to long-term vitality,” summarizes Rüßmann. “Integrating technology, biomarkers and science-backed ingredients, oral care could ultimately evolve from routine maintenance to a cornerstone of proactive, lifespan-focused wellness strategies."
Redefining a Healthy Smile
The meaning of a healthy smile is expanding. It is no longer just about white teeth and fresh breath, but about what that smile represents: a balanced microbiome, low inflammation and a body primed for longevity. “On the surface, oral care is about confidence,” says Nesta. “Sparkling white teeth and minty fresh breath reinforce a positive self-image. Poor oral health, on the other hand, is linked to depression and anxiety.”
According to Carroll, in the future, oral care will evolve “from cleaning teeth to a prestige, botanically enriched beauty-wellness category designed to support brighter smiles, healthier bodies and longer, more vibrant lives.”
Personalized, preventative and probiotic merged with “biohacking” is where Nanda sees oral care headed, while Rüßmann believes oral care is poised to move further beyond hygiene into a true wellness and longevity driver; e.g., with personalized oral microbiome solutions, preventive interventions linking gum and systemic health, and innovations targeting inflammation and oxidative stress – which are key factors in aging.
As consumers continue to connect the dots between their oral routines and overall vitality, the products, technologies and conversations in this space will only become more sophisticated. The message is clear: taking care of your mouth is one of the most powerful things you can do to take care of your entire body, today and for years to come.
Footnotes
a Oil pulling is the ayurvedic practice of swishing edible oil in the mouth for 15-20 min to reduce harmful bacteria, decrease plaque and malodor, and potentially improve gum health.
References
1. American Heart Association. (Accessed 2025, Sep 25). Oral health. Available at https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/oral-health
2. Harvard Health Publishing. (2021, Feb 15). Gum disease and heart disease: The common thread. Harvard Medical School. Available at https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/gum-disease-and-heart-disease-the-common-thread
3. Li, Y., Zhu, M., ... Liu, Y., et al. (2022, Nov 18). The oral microbiota and cardiometabolic health: A comprehensive review and emerging insights. Front Immunol. Available at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9716288/
4. National Institute on Aging. (2020, Jul 9). Large study links gum disease with dementia. Available at https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/large-study-links-gum-disease-dementia
5. Bowland, G.B. and Weyrich, L.S. (2022, Mar 30). The oral-microbiome-brain axis and neuropsychiatric disorders: An anthropological perspective. Frontiers in Psychiatry. Available at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9005879/
6. Cosmetics & Toiletries. (2025, Jul 7). New study illuminates scarless healing pathway with skin care implications. Available at https://www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/cosmetic-ingredients/actives/news/22944873
