BackgroundThe oral cavity is the gateway to the bacteria community in the lung. Disruption of the symbiotic balance of the oral microbiota has been associated with respiratory diseases. However, little is known about the relationship between oral bacteria and respiratory outcomes in the general population. We aimed to describe the associations between oral bacteria, lung function, and lung inflammation in a community-based population.MethodsOral (gingival) samples were collected concurrently with spirometry tests in 477 adults (47% males, median age 28 years) from the RHINESSA study in Bergen, Norway. Bacterial DNA from the 16S rRNA gene from gingival fluid were sequenced by Illumina®MiSeq. Lung function was measured using spirometry and measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were performed to examine airway inflammation. Differential abundance analysis was performed using ANCOM-BC, adjusting for weight, education, and smoking.ResultsThe abundance of the generaClostridiales,Achromobacter, Moraxella,FlavitaleaandHelicobacterwere significantly different among those with low FEV1(< lower limit of normal (LLN)) as compared to normal FEV1i.e. ≥ LLN. Twenty-three genera differed in abundance between among those with low FVC < LLN as compared to normal FEV1≥ LLN. The abundance of 27 genera from phylaActinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, ProteobacteriaandSacchribacteriadiffered significantly between elevated FeNO levels (≥ 50 ppb) compared to FeNO ≤ 25 ppb.ConclusionOral bacterial composition was significantly different for those with low FEV or FVC as compared to those with normal lung function equal to or higher than LLN. Differential bacterial composition was also observed for elevated FeNO levels.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12931-023-02491-6.