Comment by mishu2

> Dentists seem to be about 5-10 years behind the research on this topic.

Generalizations are usually not helpful, I think it really depends on the dentist. I'm not sure there are proven benefits to oral microbiome testing, except in some very specific cases.

> The most significant cause for caries is S. mutans.

The 'Beyond Streptococcus mutans' section in TFA explains that the situation is much more complex than this; even if it is, good oral hygiene and reduced sugar intake (both in quantity and frequency) are still the best way to reduce the amount of biofilm present on teeth (which is a requirement for caries formation, whether S. mutans is there or not).

> Diet is the most significant way to affect gum disease.

The current clinical treatment guidelines for periodontitis[1,2] only mention that the benefit of weight-reducing diet and lifestyle changes is unclear (for treating periodontitis, obviously), and that oral hygiene is still the most important thing you can do yourself for the prevention, and, once established, to assist in the treatment of the disease.

[1] Infographic: https://www.efp.org/fileadmin/uploads/efp/Photos/Continuing_...

[2] Source article: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcpe.13290