BACKGROUND: Gingivitis in response to biofilm formation may exhibit different trajectories. The purposes of the present study were to characterize the composition of the supragingival microbiota and salivary cytokine and protein levels in healthy individuals with different gingivitis patterns, to test the hypothesis that manifestations of gingivitis associate with specific profiles in terms of supragingival microbiota, salivary cytokines, and proteins.

METHODS: Forty orally and systemically healthy individuals refrained from all oral hygiene procedures for a period of 14 days, followed by a resolution period of 14 days with regular oral care. Supragingival plaque level and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded, and supragingival plaque as well as saliva samples were collected at baseline, day 14, and day 28. Based on change in BOP% from baseline to day 14, rapid (n = 15), moderate (n = 10), and slow (n = 15) responders were identified. Supragingival microbiota composition, salivary cytokine, and protein levels were compared between groups at baseline, day 14, and day 28.

RESULTS: A significantly higher baseline abundance of Capnocytophaga, Eikenella, and Campylobacter species were recorded in rapid responders, whereas a significantly higher baseline abundance of Streptococcus species were detected in slow responders. Slow responders expressed a high degree of resilience, with minimal difference in microbial composition at baseline and after 14 days of resolution (day 28). On the contrary, significant differences in relative abundance of members of the core microbiota, Streptococcus, Actinomyces, and Rothia species, was noted in baseline samples versus day 28 samples in rapid responders. Comparable baseline cytokine and protein levels were recorded in all groups.

CONCLUSION: Supragingival microbiota composition, but not saliva cytokine and protein profiles, seems to influence the extent of the inflammatory response during development of gingivitis in systemically healthy individuals.