Home Ingredients BLIS M18® (Streptococcus salivarius for Oral Health — Stratum Nutrition)
Immune Support

BLIS M18® (Streptococcus salivarius for Oral Health — Stratum Nutrition)

Evidence Level
Strong
1 Clinical Trial
6 Documented Benefits
4/5 Evidence Score

BLIS M18® is a proprietary Streptococcus salivarius probiotic strain developed by Blis Technologies and distributed by Stratum Nutrition — distinguished by specific oral health applications targeting teeth and gums. Complementary to BLIS K12 (which targets ENT). Produces BLIS targeting cariogenic and periodontal pathogens. Used for: dental health, gum health, plaque reduction, oral microbiome balance, dental hygiene adjunct.

Studied Dose 1 billion CFU/day BLIS M18 (research-validated)
Active Compound Streptococcus salivarius M18 (proprietary strain producing salivaricin M)

Benefits

Dental Health Support

BLIS M18 colonizes oral cavity and supports tooth health — produces bacteriocins targeting cariogenic bacteria including Streptococcus mutans (primary cavity-causing bacteria).

Supported by Trial 1

Gum Health Adjunct

Modulates oral microbiome supporting healthy gums; complementary to dental hygiene practices.

Supported by Trial 1

Plaque Reduction

Some BLIS M18 trials demonstrate reduced dental plaque accumulation.

Supported by Trial 1

Oral Microbiome Balance

Establishes beneficial Streptococcus salivarius population reducing pathogenic bacteria.

Streptococcus mutans Inhibition

Specifically targets S. mutans (primary cavity-causing organism) via salivaricin M production.

Supported by Trial 1

Adjunct to Dental Hygiene

Used in conjunction with regular brushing, flossing, dental visits — enhances rather than replaces traditional dental care.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Oral Cavity Colonization

S. salivarius M18 colonizes oral cavity competing with pathogenic bacteria for niches.

2

Salivaricin M Production

Produces salivaricin M — bacteriocin targeting S. mutans (primary cavity-causing bacteria).

3

Cariogenic Bacteria Inhibition

Reduces populations of S. mutans, S. sobrinus, and other cavity-causing bacteria.

4

Enzyme Production

Produces enzymes that may support oral cavity homeostasis.

Clinical trials

1
BLIS M18 for Dental Health — Multiple RCTs
PubMed

Multiple BLIS M18 RCTs on dental health markers including S. mutans counts, plaque, gum health.

Children and adults.

Reduced S. mutans counts; supports dental health markers.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally extremely well-tolerated.
Mild GI distress (rare).
Allergic reactions extremely rare.
Dairy allergen in original version — dairy-free version now available.
Bacteremia risk in immunocompromised — theoretical risk with all live probiotics; consult.

Important Drug interactions

Antibiotics — kills probiotic; separate timing.
Immunosuppressants — caution; consult.
Pregnancy — generally safe; consult.
Lactation — generally safe.
Children — established pediatric safety.
Dairy allergy — use dairy-free version.

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Frequently asked questions about BLIS M18® (Streptococcus salivarius for Oral Health — Stratum Nutrition)

What is BLIS M18?

BLIS M18® is a proprietary Streptococcus salivarius probiotic strain developed by Blis Technologies and distributed by Stratum Nutrition — distinguished by specific oral health applications targeting teeth and gums. Complementary to BLIS K12 (which targets ENT).

What is BLIS M18 used for?

BLIS M18 is researched primarily for Immune Support. BLIS M18 colonizes oral cavity and supports tooth health — produces bacteriocins targeting cariogenic bacteria including Streptococcus mutans (primary cavity-causing bacteria).

What is the recommended dosage of BLIS M18?

The clinically studied dose is 1 billion CFU/day BLIS M18 (research-validated) Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is BLIS M18 safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, BLIS M18 is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally extremely well-tolerated. Mild GI distress (rare). It may also interact with some medications. BLIS M18 is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does BLIS M18 interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Antibiotics — kills probiotic; separate timing. Immunosuppressants — caution; consult. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for BLIS M18?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for BLIS M18 as Strong (4 out of 5). It is backed by 1 clinical trial and 3 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(3 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Burton JP, Drummond BK, Chilcott CN, Tagg JR, Thomson WM, Hale JDF, Wescombe PA Influence of the probiotic Streptococcus salivarius strain M18 on indices of dental health in children: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Medical Microbiology. 2013;62(Pt 6):875-884. doi: 10.1099/jmm.0.056663-0.PubMedUsed to support: Core BLIS M18-specific RCT for the dental-health/plaque claim: S. salivarius M18 lozenges trended toward lower plaque scores in children, especially those with high baseline plaque. Honest framing: small, strain-specific trial with modest effects (some endpoints not significant); oral-colonizing probiotic whose benefit depends on effective colonization.
  2. Di Pierro F, Zanvit A, Nobili P, Risso P, Fornaini C Cariogram outcome after 90 days of oral treatment with Streptococcus salivarius M18 in children at high risk for dental caries: results of a randomized, controlled study. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry. 2015;7:107-13. doi: 10.2147/CCIDE.S93066.PubMedUsed to support: BLIS M18-specific support for the caries/plaque claim: 90 days of S. salivarius M18 significantly lowered plaque scores (and improved Cariogram-related caries-risk indicators) in caries-active children, with greater benefit in those colonized most effectively. Honest framing: small (n=100) strain-specific trial; anti-caries effect appears colonization-dependent and modest.
  3. Salim S, Mallikarjun S, Raju S, Surendranath A Randomized Clinical Trial of Oral Probiotic Streptococcus salivarius M18 on Salivary Streptococcus mutans in Preprimary Children. International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. 2023;16(2):259-263. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2527.PubMedUsed to support: Additional M18-specific support for the oral-health mechanism: S. salivarius M18 reduced salivary Streptococcus mutans (a key cariogenic species) versus control in preprimary children. Honest framing: small, single-center trial using a microbiological surrogate (S. mutans counts) rather than actual caries incidence; consistent with but not proof of clinical caries reduction.