Multi-omics Insights into Gingivitis from a Clinical Trial: Un-derstanding the Role of Bacterial and Host Factors
Poor oral health is a neglected epidemic, potentially contributing to systemic health issues. We employed a multi-omics approach to investigate the biological changes as-sociated with gingivitis and the effects of stannous fluoride (SnF2) dentifrice on micro-bial composition and salivary proteomics in an 8-week clinical trial involving 39 par-ticipants categorized as high (n = 20) and low bleeders (n = 19). Baseline assessments revealed significant microbial dysbiosis in high bleeders, characterized by higher abundance of Porphyromonas and Fusobacterium, alongside compromised epithelial barriers and increased inflammation. Following SnF2 treatment, a substantial reduction in these bacteria, and an increase in Rothia and Haemophulis were observed, correlating with improved clinical measures, including reduced bleeding and inflammation indi-ces. 80 proteins (including pro-inflammatory cytokines, Alarmin Keratins, and matrix metalloproteinases) showed significant reduction in high bleeders after treatment, with 29 overlapping the disease biomarkers in the plasma atlas, supporting SnF2's role in mitigating oxidative stress and enhancing epithelial integrity. Furthermore, SnF2 treatment significantly reduced collagen degradation, suggesting preservation of tissue integrity. These findings highlight that SnF2 not only improves local oral health but may also benefit systemic health, showcasing the value of a multi-omics approach in understanding the interconnections among oral microbiota, inflammatory responses, and systemic health outcomes.