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Significant Shifts in Oral Microbiome During Pregnancy Could Contribute to Tooth Loss

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Maintaining good oral hygiene may be especially important during pregnancy

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A popular saying suggests that “if you give birth to a child, your teeth will fall out.” While pregnancy is known to elevate the risk of dental issues, the underlying reasons remain somewhat unclear. Recent studies indicate that the oral microbiome alters during pregnancy, becoming less diverse and potentially more susceptible to inflammation.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy are often cited as the main culprits for the increased risk of conditions like periodontal disease and tooth decay. Moreover, there’s a widespread belief that the fetus extracts calcium from the mother’s teeth, a notion that lacks scientific backing.

Disruption of the oral microbiome, which comprises over 700 bacterial species, can lead to dental issues regardless of pregnancy status. However, Yoram Luzon and his team from Bar-Ilan University in Israel aimed to explore whether this typically stable ecosystem shifts during pregnancy. They collected saliva samples from 346 Israeli women across all three trimesters: 11-14 weeks, 24-28 weeks, and 32-38 weeks.

Their investigation revealed a decrease in species diversity in saliva samples starting from the transition between the first and second trimesters, continuing to decline throughout the pregnancy. A notable characteristic was the reduction in the number of species, with Akkermansia muciniphila, often hailed as a beneficial bacterium, declining alongside an increase in pro-inflammatory bacteria like Gammaproteobacteria and Synergystobacteria.

“While the oral microbiome is generally stable, we have noted a gradual decrease in its diversity over the years,” Louzoun observes. “Pregnancy accelerates this slow evolution, allowing changes that typically take years to manifest in just nine months.”

Despite being relatively minor overall, numerous factors may contribute to these changes. “Pregnancy involves a multitude of hormonal shifts and inflammation, leading to alterations in your microbiome,” explains Lindsay Edwards from King’s College London. “Dietary changes are frequent during pregnancy, and various factors such as nausea, medication cessation, and altered eating habits all play a role.”

The participants filled out questionnaires regarding their diets and health, allowing the researchers to identify similar yet distinct effects among different women. This included those who followed a gluten-free diet, took antibiotics, experienced stress, or were current or former smokers. “Many women quit smoking during pregnancy, but their prior smoking habits can impact their microbiome,” notes Dr. Luzon, emphasizing the potential long-term effects.

A parallel study found similar changes in the oral microbiomes of 154 pregnant women in Russia during their second and third trimesters.

Although pregnancy heightens the risk of dental complications, particularly in the early stages, Luzon does not definitively link oral microbiome changes to these issues. “We can’t conclude whether these microbiome alterations are beneficial or detrimental, but they are undoubtedly changing rapidly,” he states.

Conversely, Edwards suggests that shifts in microbial composition might be a contributing factor, highlighting that saliva tends to become more acidic during pregnancy, altering the types of bacteria present.

Valentina Biagioli and her colleagues from the University of Genoa in Italy assert that changes in the oral microbiome may correlate with variations in systemic hormone levels, as both systems potentially influence each other. “There exists a plausible biological link connecting the observed microbiome changes to prevalent dental issues during pregnancy, such as tooth loss,” she comments.

Disruption in the oral microbiome has been noted to relate to pregnancy complications. Consequently, establishing what constitutes an optimal microbiome during pregnancy could serve as a benchmark for monitoring pregnancy progression. “Once we establish the baseline oral microbiome of pregnancy, deviations can be detected,” Louzoun states.

Moreover, ongoing research aims to elucidate this microbiome’s role in the immune system, affecting both the health of the pregnant woman and her unborn child. “The microbiome is instrumental in shaping the immune system, fostering a reciprocal relationship,” Edwards explains.

In light of this, enhancing our understanding of how to sustain a healthy oral microbiome (e.g., via good dental hygiene and a balanced, nutritious diet) could yield significant benefits. “Microbiome changes may influence the inflammatory state of expectant parents and better prepare the child’s immune system, potentially affecting long-term health, allergies, infection susceptibility, and chronic inflammatory conditions,” cautions Edwards.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Gel That Restores Tooth Enamel Could Help Prevent Decay

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Enamel shields teeth from harm, yet can be easily compromised

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The gel incorporates compounds found in saliva to aid in the repair and regeneration of tooth enamel while preventing cavity formation that necessitates fillings.

Enamel, the tough and glossy outer layer of teeth, safeguards the sensitive inner part from wear, acids, and bacteria. “Enamel serves as your initial defense; when it starts to deteriorate, tooth decay accelerates,” explains Dr. Alvaro Mata from the University of Nottingham, UK. Since enamel does not self-repair, methods like fluoride varnishes and remineralizing treatments merely prevent further deterioration.

In search of a solution, Mata and his team engineered a gel that contains a modified protein designed to mimic amelogenin, which is vital for enamel growth in early development.

Tests revealed that applying the gel to human teeth under a microscope in a calcium and phosphate solution—the essential components of enamel—yielded a thin, robust layer that persisted for weeks, even during brushing.

This gel establishes a framework that utilizes calcium and phosphate to fill imperfections and encourage the organized development of new crystals in the enamel beneath the gel layer, even if a significant portion of the dentin is exposed.

“The gel successfully grew crystals epitaxially, meaning it mirrored the crystal orientation of the existing enamel,” Mata states.

This alignment allows the new growth, achieving thicknesses of up to 10 micrometers, to integrate with the underlying natural tissue, reconstructing both the structure and functionality of the enamel. “Growth occurs within a week,” remarks Mata. The method proved effective not only with the specific solution employed but also with donated saliva, which naturally contains calcium and phosphate.

Electron microscopy images of a demineralized tooth showcasing eroded crystals (left) and a similar tooth after two weeks of gel treatment that reveals epitaxially regenerated enamel crystals (right)

Professor Alvaro Mata, University of Nottingham

A comparable approach was noted in 2019, but it resulted in a thinner coating, only partially restoring the inner enamel structure.

Clinical trials on humans are set to commence early next year. Mata is also establishing a company named Mintech-Bio, hoping to launch its first product by late 2026 for use by dentists.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Scientists Uncover Mesozoic Carbon Dioxide Levels and Photosynthesis Through Dinosaur Tooth Enamel Analysis

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During the Mesozoic era, from 252 to 66 million years ago, analyses of the oxygen isotope composition in dinosaur teeth revealed that the atmosphere contained significantly more carbon dioxide than it does today, with global plant photosynthesis levels roughly double those of the present.

Fossil teeth of Camarasaurus from the Morrison Formation in the US. Image credit: sauriermuseum aathal.

A study conducted by Göttingen University and researcher Dr. Dingsu Feng examined the dental enamel of dinosaurs that roamed North America, Africa, and Europe during the Late Jurassic and Late Cretaceous periods.

“Enamel is one of the most stable biological materials,” they explained.

“It captures different oxygen isotopes based on the air dinosaurs inhaled with each breath.”

“The isotope ratios of oxygen reflect fluctuations in atmospheric carbon dioxide and plant photosynthesis.”

“This connection allows us to infer insights about the climate and vegetation of the dinosaur era.”

“During the late Jurassic, about 150 million years ago, the air contained four times more carbon dioxide than before industrialization, prior to significant human emissions of greenhouse gases.”

“In the late Cretaceous, around 730 to 66 million years ago, carbon dioxide levels were three times higher than today.”

Teeth from two dinosaur species, the Tyrannosaurus Rex and Kaatedocus siberi, showed an exceptionally unique oxygen isotope composition.

This phenomenon is indicative of carbon dioxide spikes linked to major geological events like volcanic eruptions—such as the massive eruption of the Deccan Traps in India at the close of the Cretaceous period.

The heightened photosynthetic activity of plants at that time on both land and water is likely associated with elevated carbon dioxide levels and higher average annual temperatures.

This research marks a milestone in paleoclimatology. Historically, soil and marine proxy carbonates have served as the primary tools for reconstructing past climates.

Marine proxies, which are indicators of sediment fossils and chemical signatures, help scientists comprehend ancient marine environmental conditions, yet these methods often involve uncertainties.

“Our approach offers a fresh perspective on the planet’s history,” Dr. Fenn remarked.

“It paves the way to use fossilized tooth enamel for probing the composition of Earth’s atmosphere and plant productivity during that era.”

“Understanding these factors is crucial for grasping long-term climate dynamics.”

“Dinosaurs may well become new climate scientists, as their teeth have recorded climate data for over 150 million years. At last, we have received their message.”

Study published on August 4, 2025, in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Dingsu Feng et al. 2025. Mesozoic Atmospheric CO2 Concentrations reconstructed from the enamel of dinosaur teeth. PNAS 122 (33): E2504324122; doi: 10.1073/pnas.2504324122

Source: www.sci.news

Paleontologists Discover Ancient Proteins in Mammalian Tooth Enamel from 18 Million Years Ago

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Researchers have identified protein sequences within the dense enamel tissues of ancient nasal cavities and materials collected from the Burg and Lopelot sites in the Turkana Basin, Kenya.

The Turkana Basin within the East African lift system preserves fossil communities dating back more than 66 million years. Green et al. Powder samples were collected for paleontological skin analysis from the early Pleistocene back to the Oligocene (29 million years ago) from large herbivores. Image credit: Green et al., doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09040-9.

“Teeth are the rocks in our mouths,” stated Dr. Daniel Green, a researcher at Harvard and Columbia University.

“They represent the most complex structures created by animals; hence, it’s possible to find teeth that are 100 million years old, offering geochemical records of animal life.”

“This includes insights into their diets, hydration, and habitats.”

“Previously, we believed that mature enamel, being the hardest part of teeth, should contain very little protein.”

Yet, by employing a novel proteomic technique known as liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), the researchers uncovered remarkable protein diversity in various biological tissues.

“The method comprises multiple stages where peptides are sorted according to size or chemistry, enabling detailed sequential analysis at unprecedented resolution,” explains Dr. Kevin Uno from Harvard and Columbia University.

“Recent findings indicate that there are dozens, potentially hundreds, of different proteins present in tooth enamel,” remarked Dr. Green.

Recognizing that many proteins exist in modern teeth, researchers pivoted towards studying fossils of nasal mesentery and related materials.

As herbivores, these creatures exhibited large teeth to crush their plant-based diets.

“These mammals could have enamels measuring 2-3 millimeters in thickness, providing ample material for investigation,” Dr. Green noted.

“Our discovery — peptide fragments and amino acid chains representing proteins spanning around 18 million years — stands to transform the field.”

“No one has previously identified peptide fragments of such antiquity.”

The oldest published findings to date date back around 3.5 million years.

“The newly identified peptides encompass a diverse array of proteins, representing what is known as the proteome,” Dr. Green remarked.

“One reason we are thrilled about these ancient teeth is that we lack a complete proteome for all proteins that could potentially be extracted from the bodies of these extinct elephants and rhinos, yet we can identify distinct groups.”

“Such collections could yield more information from these groups than from a single protein alone.”

“This research opens a new chapter for paleontology, enabling scientists to reconstruct the molecular and physiological traits of extinct species, moving beyond just bones and morphology,” stated Dr. Emmanuel Nudiemma, a researcher at the National Museum of Kenya.

“These peptide fragments can be utilized to delve into the relationships among ancient animals, much like contemporary methods that map human DNA relations.”

“Though a few animals analyzed in studies are completely extinct without living descendants, in theory, proteins could be extracted from their teeth and added to a phylogenetic tree,” Dr. Green elaborated.

“This information may clarify long-standing debates among paleontologists concerning the relationships among various mammalian lineages, utilizing molecular evidence.”

Survey results Today, I will be featured in the journal Nature.

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Dr. Green et al. Diverse enamel proteomes from rifts of East Africa over 108 million years. Nature Published online on July 9, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09040-9

Source: www.sci.news

Energy Drinks: Simple Additions to Minimize Tooth Damage

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Energy drinks can enhance your mood, but excessive intake may harm your dental health.

Shutterstock/Francesco de Marc

Calcium-fortified energy drinks may mitigate tooth damage, though the impact on flavor remains uncertain.

Research reveals that dental enamel starts to erode when exposed to liquids with a pH below 5.5.

Investigating solutions, Eric Jacom from the University of Rio Grande and Grande in Brazil, along with his team, experimented with adding calcium and other minerals to standard Red Bull to assess the pH impact.

Notable combinations included calcium, phosphorus, and potassium, raising pH from 3.96 (for standard Red Bull) to 5.27, while dicoum malonate and calcium citrate both increased acidity.

The researchers exposed enamel samples from donated human teeth to these enhanced energy drinks for two minutes, evaluating changes in texture, hardness, and other indicators of enamel erosion.

All calcium-enriched variants showed less effect on roughness compared to the unmodified Red Bull, despite having a lower pH. Experts believe this might be due to calcium’s regenerative properties, which aid in mineral deposition on enamel to repair natural wear.

The formulation containing 2.15 grams of calcium-phosphorus-potassium mix and 2.5 grams of dicoum malate sustained enamel hardness. However, the former offers the most protective benefits, demonstrating a dual action of lowering calcium depletion while reducing acidity.

Future investigations should focus on identifying the optimal calcium formulation and the minimum concentration necessary to minimize enamel erosion, the researchers noted in their paper. Additionally, it is crucial to determine if calcium enhancement influences drink preferences and consumption patterns.

Before any shifts in formulation, David Bartlett from King’s College London advises that it’s premature to adjust energy drink compositions. “We recommend avoiding acidic foods or drinks between meals.” Consuming acidic foods and beverages in moderation is seen as less harmful since increased saliva helps neutralize some acid.

A representative from the UK Soft Drinks Association stated: “It’s important to reiterate that all soft beverages can be safely enjoyed within a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

Red Bull has not responded to requests for comment.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Tiny proteins that repair tooth enamel

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Over 50% of the world’s population experiences at least one cavity in childhood, increasing to over 90% in adults. Using a fluoride gagging agent, brushing and flossing twice daily and getting fillings as needed is a standard practice to maintain good dental hygiene. Still, dentists fill more than 100 million cavities around the world each year, on average. What if there is a way to prevent it? and Reverse cavity? Dental researchers recently tested a new method of restoring the structure of teeth before major damage occurs.

Our teeth are made up of minerals made up of calcium and phosphates. When the acids and bacteria in our mouth break down these minerals, our teeth experience Demineralisation. When dechlorination drills holes in the protective layer outside the tooth, a cavity forms; enamel. If left untreated, these holes will deepen and slowly collapse over time the enamel and remaining teeth.

Brushing teeth and using mouthwash can clean acids and bacteria from the mouth to prevent the initial cavity, but dental researchers want to demineralize and therefore reverse the cavity. Tooth-like minerals line themselves up in shapes similar to snowflakes and diamonds. Crystal-like structure. They also tend to complete their own patterns by fusing firmly with the surrounding minerals. Therefore, researchers hope to use this natural process to reconstruct dental minerals into their crystal-like structures.

One way to encourage scientists to begin reconstructing teeth is to use small chains of molecules that form proteins. peptide. Scientists use a specific peptide called An Enamel-binding peptide Or EBP can help bind calcium and phosphate to crystallize. When you soak your teeth in a container filled with EBP, the minerals bind to it. Minerals from the solution do not stick to the teeth without EBPS. This makes these peptides an important component in crystal growth.

This knowledge led Japanese researchers to bind teeth with minerals, assuming that they could be soaked in EBP called wgnyayk and immersed in calcium and phosphate solutions. If this process works, build or effectively return the hard surface of the teeth. reminderalize Its enamel.

To test this idea, the researchers acquired 30 cow teeth and randomly separated them into three groups. They degrined the enamel of each tooth by placing it in a solution containing acetic acid at a pH of 4.5 for 7-9 days to mimic how natural tooth enamel fades. After this process, the scientists coated two groups of teeth with wgnyayk peptides and did not leave the other groups. They immersed them in a remineralization solution containing monopotasium phosphate and buffer at a pH of 7. The researchers also added a green pigment to the solution that brightens and brightens the harder the enamel surface. The more dense the minerals, the more intense the enamel and brighten the teeth.

Scientists analyzed teeth soaked in WGNYAYK peptide solution under a laser microscope. They found that the higher the concentration of the peptide solution that had soaked in the teeth, the brighter fluorescent green. They explained that this correlation means that the combination of peptide and mineral baths partially restored tooth enamel.

The researchers considered their experiment a success because the EBP they tested promoted dental remineralization. Next, they are trying to create a local application of this EBP for clinical research. They warned that before this EBP is brought to trial in humans, scientists should investigate the composition and potential adverse effects of reinserted teeth. Still, the researchers concluded that their success was a step in the right direction for dentistry. Future testing will check whether EBP treatment is effective in human teeth as well as in cow teeth.


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Source: sciworthy.com

Genetic Variation Decides Tooth Shape, Scientists Discover

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According to a study led by researchers at University College London, one of these genetic variations was inherited from Neanderthals.

El Sidrón Neanderthals taste wild mushrooms, pine nuts, and forest moss. Image credit: Abel Grau, CSIC Communication.

“Teeth can tell us a lot about human evolution. Well-preserved ancient teeth are of particular interest to archaeologists, as we learned from the transition to cooked foods and when human teeth began to shrink in size.” We will highlight milestones such as when the , a researcher at University College London.

“However, little is known about the genetic basis of differences in tooth size and shape in modern humans, partly because teeth are difficult to measure.”

“We have now identified a large number of genes that influence tooth development, some of which are responsible for differences between ethnic groups.”

In the study, Dr. Adhikari and his colleagues used data from 882 Colombian volunteers of European, Native American, and African descent.

The dataset included crown measurements (dimensions of the part of the tooth visible above the gums) taken from 3D scans of dental plaster casts.

The researchers compared these measurements to participants' genetic information in genome-wide association studies, using an analytical approach called multi-omics that integrates numerous data sources.

They identified 18 genomic regions that influence the size and shape of different tooth groups, 17 of which had not previously been associated with tooth dimensions.

One of the new connections concerned genes thought to have been inherited from Neanderthals through interbreeding with ancient humans. homo sapiens.

This genetic variation, which contributes to the biological pathway of tooth development, is found only in people of European descent, and carriers of the mutation have thinner incisors (the eight teeth located at the front of the mouth). The thickness of the tooth was measured from back to front).

Generally speaking, people of European descent had smaller teeth.

Scientists also found a link between tooth dimensions and a gene already known to influence the shape of incisors in East Asians, but the new study shows that this gene, called EDAR, It turns out that it also determines the width of all teeth.

“Some of the genes that contribute to normal variations in tooth dimensions in healthy people may also contribute to pathogenic variations, such as tooth growth failure and other dental health conditions,” said a researcher at Fudan University. said researcher Dr. Chin Lee.

“We hope that our findings will have medical benefits, such as people with certain dental problems being able to undergo genetic testing to help diagnose them, and dental abnormalities one day being treated with gene therapy.” I hope.”

“Our findings did not reveal whether the genes that specify tooth shape were selected during evolution for special benefits for dental health. “Differences that occur as a side effect may have been selected for the shape of the area as well as its influence on other areas,” said Professor Andres Luis Linares, a researcher at University College London, Fudan University, and Aix-Marseille University. said.

a paper The findings were published in a magazine on December 12th. current biology.

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Chin Lee others. PITX2 Expression and Neanderthal gene introgression HS3ST3A1 Contributes to changes in tooth dimensions in modern humans. current biologypublished online on December 12, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.11.027

Source: www.sci.news

The strength of your sweet tooth could be linked to your sugar-digesting capabilities

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When it comes to food cravings, some of us lean towards ice cream while others prefer something savory. It can be hard to understand how people have different tastes when it comes to food. How can anyone not enjoy chocolate?

A recent study may provide some answers. It appears that individuals who have an aversion to sweet foods may have a genetic anomaly in their DNA that makes it challenging for them to digest sucrose (sugar).

Genetic issues with sucrose digestion are commonly linked to irritable bowel syndrome. However, a new study featured in the journal Gastroenterology suggests that defects in the sucrase-isomaltase (SI) gene could also impact how much we enjoy sweet treats.

To investigate further, a team of researchers from the University of Nottingham conducted studies on mice lacking the SI gene. They discovered that these mice had a decreased preference for sucrose consumption.

The researchers then expanded their study to include humans, analyzing data from 6,000 individuals in Greenland and approximately 135,000 individuals in the UK from the UK Biobank. Their findings showed that Greenlandic participants with a completely non-functional SI gene consumed more sugar compared to those with a functioning gene. This pattern was also observed in the UK, where individuals with a partially functioning SI gene showed a lower inclination towards sweet foods.

If you are not a fan of sweet treats, could it be due to a genetic issue? Not necessarily.

“If you have a dislike for sweet foods, it may be linked to reduced SI function, but other factors with bigger impacts are likely contributing to your preference for less sweet foods,” said Dr. Mette Andersen, a co-author of the study and assistant professor at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, as reported by BBC Science Focus.

Excessive sugar consumption is a significant factor in the rise of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Researchers involved in the study believe that targeting the SI gene with new medications to enhance digestive health could potentially help reduce sugar intake.

About our experts

Dr. Mette Andersen is an assistant professor at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com