The disclosure relates to an oral care composition an effective amount of at least one C?1-4#191 (optionally hydroxylated) alkyl glycoside, e.g., β-methyl-D-galactoside, wherein the glycoside promotes the growth of beneficial endogenous bacteria and negatively affects the growth of endogenous pathogenic strains of bacteria. The disclosure also relates to methods of use, methods of screening, and methods of manufacture of said oral care compositions.