David J. Vigerust

The Oral–Gut Microbiome Axis: Microbial Transit, Ectopic Colonization, Systemic Associations, Salivaomics, and Clinical Control Points

The oral cavity is a continuous microbial source for the gastrointestinal tract. Adults swallow approximately 0.5–1.5 L of saliva each day, carrying a large and variable bacterial load. Gastric acidity removes most ingested organisms, but survival increases with food buffering, acid tolerance, mucin or biofilm protecti...