The present invention provides an oral care composition comprising a carboxylic acid of the formula (I) wherein: R1 is H, or is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group; and R2 is H, OH, or NH2; for use in: (a) selectively promoting, in an oral cavity: growth, metabolic activity or colonization of bacteria that have beneficial effects on oral health, relative to growth, metabolic activity or colonization of pathogenic oral bacteria; (b) selectively promoting, in an oral cavity, biofilm formation by bacteria that have beneficial effects on oral health, relative to biofilm formation by pathogenic oral bacteria; or (c) maintaining and/or re-establishing a healthy oral microflora.