Scientists from The Forsyth Institute and King’s College, London have released a new tool for the research community, the Human Oral Microbiome Database, which provides descriptions of the approximately 600 microbes (bacteria) that are most commonly found in people’s mouths. Most bacteria living in the mouth are thought to be important for maintaining the health of teeth and gums, as well as for general human health. A smaller number are potentially disease causing. The database, which can be found at www.homd.org, will help scientists studying the role of specific microbes in human health and disease.