How Saliva Testing Helps Monitor Oral and Whole-Body Health
At Collective Health Society here in Englewood, CO, we believe that a healthy mouth is the foundation for a healthy body. That belief is what inspired Dr. Katie Lee to create a new kind of dental practice—one that looks beyond the teeth and gums to uncover deeper connections between oral health and systemic wellness.
We’re not your typical dental office. We take a functional, biological, and holistic approach to care that is designed to treat the whole person, not just symptoms. One of the tools we rely on most is saliva testing, and in this blog, we’re going to explain why this simple yet powerful diagnostic method may hold the key to your long-term health.
From Symptoms to Systems: Why We Created Collective Health Society
As a dentist, Dr. Lee began noticing a recurring pattern: patients who struggled with chronic illnesses—things like joint pain, fatigue, fertility issues, digestive discomfort, and inflammation—often had ongoing oral disease as well. Even patients who brushed and flossed regularly and saw their dentist every six months weren’t necessarily getting healthier.
That’s when she realized something had to change.
Dr. Lee founded Collective Health Society to offer a better solution—one that starts with comprehensive testing, encourages collaboration across health disciplines, and focuses on healing from the inside out. We want our patients to walk away not just with cleaner teeth, but with answers, improved wellness, and a better quality of life.
What Is Saliva Testing — And Why Does It Matter?
Saliva testing is exactly what it sounds like: we collect a small sample of your saliva and send it to a specialized lab for analysis. The results tell us a lot about what’s happening in your mouth—and your body.
Why is that important? Because more than 50% of the harmful bacteria in your mouth are resistant to cleaning alone. This explains why many people suffer from bleeding gums, inflammation, and recurring oral health issues even with good hygiene habits and regular dental visits.
Traditional cleanings can only go so far. But when we know what pathogens are present in your mouth, we can create a personalized treatment plan that targets those specific bacteria and restores balance to your oral microbiome.
And here’s the kicker: those same bacteria are often linked to larger health problems throughout the body.
What We Test For (And What It Tells Us)
We perform two main types of saliva testing at Collective Health Society:
1. MMP-8 Enzyme Testing
One of the most important biomarkers we look at is MMP-8, an enzyme responsible for breaking down collagen in the body. Elevated levels of MMP-8 are a red flag for inflammation—not just in the gums, but systemically. If you have joint pain, gut problems, or gum disease, this enzyme might be part of the reason why.
2. Salivary Microbiome Testing
This is where things get really interesting. Our microbiome test reveals exactly which types of bacteria are living in your mouth and how they correlate with systemic health conditions.
We frequently see elevated levels of bacteria such as Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis in patients with:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes and metabolic syndrome
- Alzheimer’s and dementia
- Fertility struggles
When we identify these strains early, we can intervene in ways that support both your oral health and your overall wellness.
A New Kind of Cleaning
When you visit a traditional dentist for a cleaning, the process is usually the same: polish the teeth, scrape off tartar, floss, and send you on your way. While this may leave your smile looking nice, it rarely addresses the underlying causes of inflammation, infection, or imbalance.
At Collective Health Society, our hygiene visits are much more intentional.
First, we begin with your saliva testing results. Based on what we find, we tailor your cleaning with tools and techniques designed to eliminate harmful bacteria and support beneficial ones. These may include:
- Ozone therapy, which helps sterilize and oxygenate the tissues
- Laser therapy to reduce inflammation and kill pathogens
- Herbal remedies and targeted supplements that nourish your microbiome
We work to reduce the "bad" bacteria and restore the helpful, commensal bacteria that keep your mouth in balance. This personalized, data-driven approach delivers long-lasting results you can actually feel.
Your Mouth Tells a Bigger Story
Saliva testing doesn’t just help us clean your teeth better. It can actually help uncover the root cause of symptoms that other healthcare providers may have overlooked.
We regularly see patients who come to us with vague, chronic symptoms that have never been fully explained. Through our integrative testing and treatment, we’ve helped:
- Lower high blood pressure
- Stabilize pre-diabetes and reduce A1C levels
- Improve gut health
- Support conception in couples struggling with fertility
Think about it this way: the mouth is the beginning of the gut. If your oral microbiome is out of balance, your digestive system will be too. And if inflammation is present in your gums, it’s likely traveling throughout your bloodstream, impacting other organs and systems.
By restoring harmony in the mouth, we help our patients take meaningful steps toward healing their entire body.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first visit to our Englewood office is designed to gather as much information as possible about your health, lifestyle, symptoms, and oral environment.
Here’s what your visit will look like:
- Saliva Testing
Just like your physician orders blood work during a physical, we start with saliva testing. It’s painless, quick, and incredibly insightful. - Clinical Exam
While we wait for your test results, we perform a detailed clinical evaluation of your oral health—looking at your gums, teeth, bite, and any visible signs of inflammation or disease. - Customized Treatment Plan
Once your lab results are back, we combine your clinical findings with your saliva data and symptoms to design a care plan that’s personalized, precise, and powerful.
This approach ensures that nothing is missed, and that every aspect of your care is grounded in science and tailored to your unique needs.
Making This Care Accessible
We understand that many of the services we offer are still considered "outside the box" by traditional insurance companies. While your dental insurance may cover part of your visit, it likely won’t cover advanced testing like salivary microbiome analysis.
But that doesn’t mean this kind of care is out of reach.
We offer:
- In-office membership plans, which include one free microbiome test per year and discounted rates on other services
- Flexible payment options with 0% interest financing
Our mission is to make biological dental care as accessible and affordable as possible so that everyone in Englewood and beyond can take charge of their health with confidence.
It’s Time to Look at Your Mouth Differently
Your mouth isn’t separate from your body. It’s a window into your immune system, your gut, your heart, and even your hormones.
At Collective Health Society, we’re not just here to polish your smile. We’re here to help you feel better, live healthier, and finally get the answers you deserve.
If you've been struggling with ongoing health issues, unexplained inflammation, or even just want to understand your body better, we invite you to discover how saliva testing can help.
Let us help you connect the dots between your oral health and your overall well-being.
Ready to Get Started with Saliva Testing in Englewood, CO?
Book your first visit with us today and experience dental care that goes deeper.
Call us at (720) 775-8180 or visit www.collectivehealthsociety.com to schedule your appointment online.
We can’t wait to help you feel your best—starting with your mouth.
