The microbiota on different oral surfaces in healthy children

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
10:42

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children

Published on: December 31, 2017

W Papaioannou1, S Gizani, A D Haffajee

  • 1Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. vpapaio@dent.uoa.gr

Oral Microbiology and Immunology
|May 7, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Early oral colonization patterns in children mirror adult profiles, with distinct microbial communities in different mouth locations. Oral microbiota gradually matures with age, showing increased periodontal pathogens in older children.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Oral Health
  • Pediatric Dentistry

Background:

  • Understanding early oral colonization is crucial for deciphering oral biofilm development and disease initiation.
  • This knowledge can inform the development of early preventive strategies for oral diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the early oral colonization patterns in children.
  • To characterize the microbial profiles across different oral habitats in pediatric populations.
  • To assess age-related changes in the oral microbiota composition.

Main Methods:

  • Collected microbial samples from five oral sites in 93 children (aged 3-12 years).
  • Utilized the checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization technique to detect 38 microbial species.
  • Stratified participants into three distinct age groups for comparative analysis.

Main Results:

  • Distinct microbial profiles were observed across different oral surfaces, with exceptions for Parvimonas micra and Porphyromonas gingivalis.
  • Supragingival and subgingival plaque shared similar profiles, rich in Actinomyces and Green complex species.
  • Soft tissues were dominated by Yellow complex streptococci, while tongue and saliva exhibited similar profiles.
  • Periodontal pathogens, particularly Red complex species (Tannerella forsythia, P. gingivalis, Treponema denticola), significantly increased with age across all sampled locations.

Conclusions:

  • The oral microbiota colonization pattern in children resembles that of adults.
  • Age-related differences in microbial profiles indicate a gradual maturation of the oral microbiota.
  • An increasing abundance of Orange and Red complex species is associated with aging in the pediatric oral environment.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Assessing the Viability of a Synthetic Bacterial Consortium on the In Vitro Gut Host-microbe Interface10:24

Assessing the Viability of a Synthetic Bacterial Consortium on the In Vitro Gut Host-microbe Interface

Published on: July 4, 2018

Oral Biofilm Analysis of Palatal Expanders by Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy09:44

Oral Biofilm Analysis of Palatal Expanders by Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy

Published on: October 20, 2011

Related Concept Videos

Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...
The Skin Microbiota01:27

The Skin Microbiota

The human skin serves as a complex ecosystem inhabited by a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining skin health and defending against pathogenic invaders. The composition of microbial communities varies significantly across different regions of the body, influenced primarily by the local levels of moisture and sebum.Regional Variation in Skin MicrobiotaCutibacterium acnes predominantly colonizes sebaceous...