# Multi-Omics Insights into Gingivitis from a Clinical Trial: Understanding the Role of Bacterial and Host Factors

## TL;DR

A clinical trial used multi-omics to show that stannous fluoride dentifrice improves oral health by reducing harmful bacteria and inflammation, potentially benefiting systemic health.

## Contribution

The study introduces a multi-omics approach to reveal how stannous fluoride impacts both microbial and host factors in gingivitis.

## Key findings

- High bleeders showed microbial dysbiosis with more Porphyromonas and Fusobacterium at baseline.
- SnF2 treatment reduced harmful bacteria and increased beneficial ones like Rothia and Haemophulis.
- SnF2 decreased 80 proteins linked to inflammation and preserved tissue integrity by reducing collagen degradation.

## Abstract

Poor oral health is a neglected epidemic, potentially contributing to systemic health issues. We employed a multi-omics approach to investigate the biological changes associated with gingivitis and the effects of stannous fluoride (SnF2) dentifrice on microbial composition and salivary proteomics in an eight-week clinical trial involving 39 participants categorized as high (n = 20) and low bleeders (n = 19). Baseline assessments revealed significant microbial dysbiosis in high bleeders, characterized by a 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 indices. In total, 80 proteins (including pro-inflammatory cytokines, alarmin keratins, and matrix metalloproteinases) showed a significant reduction in high bleeders after treatment, with 29 overlapping the disease biomarkers in the plasma atlas, supporting the role of SnF2 in mitigating oxidative stress and enhancing epithelial integrity. Furthermore, SnF2 treatment significantly reduced collagen degradation, suggesting the 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.