This project will employ an extended experimental gingivitis model to monitor changes in the oral metagenome and metatranscriptome during progression to gingivitis and recovery to oral health. The study will employ a 'split-mouth' design whereby one half of each individual's mouth is protected from oral hygiene while the other half acts as an internal control. Oral health status will be monitored through clinical measurements of dental plaque accumulation and gingival index. Plaque samples will be collected for DNA (metagenome) and RNA (metatranscriptome) sequencing. Using statistical modelling, genes and functional pathways will be identified that associate with resistance and resilience to gingivitis.
This study aims to identify new biomarkers that indicate the resilience of individuals to developing oral disease. An 'experimental gingivitis' model will be employed in which subjects will refrain from oral hygiene in one quadrant of their mouths for 3 weeks, and will then restore oral hygiene. Gum inflammation will be monitored by clinical measures throughout the trial and samples will be collected for analysis of microbial DNA and RNA.