Oral Dysbiosis and Digestive Health: A Saliva-Based Study

The oral cavity contains a diverse microbial community that plays an important role in oral health and may also influence digestive health. Disruptions to this balance, known as oral dysbiosis, are associated with dental diseases such as cavities and gum disease and have been increasingly linked to gastrointestinal conditions. This proposed study aims to examine potential associations between oral health status, salivary bacterial composition, and self-reported digestive symptoms in adults. Pending Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, approximately ten participants aged 18–60 will be recruited and divided into two groups: individuals with diagnosed, untreated dental cavities and/or gum disease recruited from a dental office and healthy control participants recruited from a university population. Participants will complete a brief intake questionnaire and provide a saliva sample. Saliva samples will be analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to measure total bacterial load through the universal 16S rRNA gene and the relative abundance of Fusobacterium nucleatum. This observational, cross-sectional study is intended to generate preliminary data and assess feasibility. It is anticipated that individuals with untreated dental disease and digestive symptoms will exhibit altered salivary bacterial profiles compared with healthy controls, contributing to a growing understanding of the oral–gut connection and informing future research.