Changes in subgingival microbiota during puberty

Abstract

It was the purpose of the present investigation to monitor the composition of the subgingival microbiota at selected sites in individuals passing through puberty and to correlate observed changes with the development of pubertal maturation. Between the ages of 11 and 14 years, pubertal and skeletal maturation was monitored annually in 22 boys and 20 girls. During this time, subgingival microbial samples were taken every 4th to 5th month (10 times in 4 years) mesially of the upper first molars. High values in total bacterial counts were reached after the onset of puberty, followed by a decrease towards the end of the observation period. The frequency of detection of Actinomyces odontolyticus and of Capnocytophaga sp. increased with time. The frequencies of other selected species, specifically of black pigmenting Bacteriodes sp. were not found to increase when tested by linear and quadratic models of time trend. However, a statistically significant rise in the frequency of detecting B. intermedius and B. melaninogenicus was noted in the initial pubertal phase identified by the onset of testicular growth in boys (p = 0.05). A significant relationship also existed between testes growth and increase of A. odontolyticus (p less than 0.01). In girls, a similar increase was obtained for A. odontolyticus when studied in relation to the Tanner scores for breast development (p less than 0.01). The changes observed in the subgingival microbiota during puberty may be related to the development of gingivitis, which was demonstrated by a higher tendency for gingival bleeding during the course of the pubertal maturation process.

The Influence of Sex Steroid Hormones on Gingiva of Women

“…[41, 42] including the presence of Prevotella intermedia, which can substitute estrogen and progesterone for vitamin K, an essential bacterial growth factor [43, 44]. There also is an increase in the quantity of plaque in general [41] and other species in particular, including spirochetes, Capnocytophagia sp., Actinomycetes sp., and Eikenella corrodens [38, 42, 45]. Capnocytophaga species have been associated with a tendency towards increased bleeding [45] Tiainen et al .…”

“…There also is an increase in the quantity of plaque in general [41] and other species in particular, including spirochetes, Capnocytophagia sp., Actinomycetes sp., and Eikenella corrodens [38, 42, 45]. Capnocytophaga species have been associated with a tendency towards increased bleeding [45] Tiainen et al . [41] showed that the severity of puberty gingivitis was related more closely to plaque build up than to hormones.…”

Influence of sex hormones on the periodontium

“…This may explain the association between increased estrogen concentrations and the elevated counts of Pi . On the other hand, Capnocytophaga species, which often increase during puberty, have been associated with the increased bleeding tendency observed during this period of time (Gusberti et al 1990). Mombelli et al (1990) evaluated longitudinal changes, during a period of 4 years, in the composition of the subgingival microbiota of children between 11 and 14 years of age.…”

Changes in Oral Microflora and Host Defences with Advanced Age

“…21 An increased isolation frequency with age was also observed for spirochaetes. Similar studies have also reported an increased isolation of Prevotella and spirochaetes in children between the ages of 11 and 14 years 34 and in children aged 14 and 15 years. 35 The increased prevalence of Prevotella species may be associated with elevated hormone levels, as was observed in puberty 36,37 and in pregnant women 38,39 A direct relationship between increased prevalence of P. intermedia in pregnant women and increased levels of oestrogens and progesterone in plasma has been demonstrated and attributed to hormones supplementing the menadione requirement of the bacteria.…”