A search for “perio-probiotics” by longitudinal dissection of oral bacterial community shifts during the onset and resolution of gingivitis

Abstract

AimTo understand the spatiotemporal dynamics of bacterial succession during gingivitis, and to identify taxa with a critical role in gum health with prognostic value.Materials and methodsLongitudinal microbiome data were collected from 15 individuals after completely discontinuing all forms of oral hygiene, and subsequently reintroducing it for three and two weeks, respectively. Sequences from the 16S rRNA V4-V5 gene region from sub- and supra-gingival plaque, saliva, and tongue sites were annotated and mapped to a reference tree of Human Oral Microbiome Database sequences.ResultsSuspending oral hygiene induced gingivitis, which was resolved after its resumption to baseline. Most significant shifts in bacterial abundance were observed in dental plaque, but not in saliva and tongue sites. During gingivitis-induction, baseline microbiota dominated by Streptococcus, was superseded by increased Prevotella, Fusobacterium, Leptotrichia, and Porphyromonas genera. Converse to its decline during disease-induction, gum health restoration was accompanied by a significant increase in streptococci.ConclusionWe present the most comprehensive, spatiotemporal map of bacterial succession during gingivitis onset and resolution. We have identified taxa with potential as probiotic candidates for gum disease (i.e., perio-probiotics), and suggest tooth-associated plaque and not saliva or tongue plaque should be used in future prognostic tests.