Dental calculus microbiome correlates with dietary intake

Area of Science:

• Oral microbiology
• Microbiome analysis
• Dietary impact on health

Background:

• Dental calculus forms from mineralized dental plaque, a bacterial biofilm.
• The dental calculus microbiome is complex, containing both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
• Limited understanding exists regarding how host lifestyle factors, like diet, influence this oral ecosystem.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the microbial biodiversity within dental calculus.
• To explore the relationship between dental calculus microbiome composition and host diet.
• To provide a pilot study on the influence of diet on the oral microbiome.

Main Methods:

• Collected 40 dental calculus samples during routine dental check-ups.
• Extracted DNA and performed 16S amplicon sequencing for microbial analysis.
• Collected dietary information via questionnaire and statistically analyzed associations.

Main Results:

• Microbiome composition was dominated by 10 phyla and 39 bacterial genera.
• Cluster analysis identified distinct taxonomic and functional groups.
• Specific bacterial genera and pathways were associated with dietary elements, particularly fruit and vegetable intake.

Conclusions:

• Dental calculus microbial composition shows inter-individual variability even in similar populations.
• Microbial biodiversity and functions in dental calculus are associated with dietary habits, including high-fiber and protein-rich diets.