Dental-Microbiome study

How does the composition of microorganisms in our mouths affect our physical health? How exactly do our diet and lifestyle influence these microorganisms? How does today’s microbial composition differ from that of Roman times and the Middle Ages?

To gain a better understanding of the links between diet, the gut microbiome, systemic diseases and the microbial composition of the oral cavity, we need your help!

For the dental microbiome study, you would visit our study centre in the Department of Nutrition and Microbiota on one occasion, and the Department of Orthodontics at Bonn University Hospital for the second examination.

 1.    Examination (approx. 1.5 hours; Katzenburgweg 7, Bonn):

·        Anthropometric measurements – height, weight, waist and hip circumference, blood pressure and body composition

·        Various questionnaires on dietary habits and lifestyle

·        Sample collection – fasting blood sample, saliva sample, nasal swab

 2.    Examination (approx. 1 hour; Welschnonnenstraße 17, Bonn):

·        Removal of tartar as part of a free professional teeth cleaning

·        Submission of a stool sample

We will then analyse your samples and compare your tartar samples with tartar samples from Roman times and the Middle Ages.

What are the eligibility criteria?

·        Healthy adults (aged 18 and over)

·        Non-smokers

·        No chronic illnesses

·        No dental problems (acute gum disease, bleeding gums or tooth decay)

·        Not taking antibiotics or immunosuppressive medication at the time of study participation

In return for completing the study, participants will receive an analysis of their dietary and health data, as well as a dental checkup as part of the tartar removal process. Your data will be stored anonymously.  

How can you take part?

Do you meet the eligibility criteria and are you interested in taking part in our dental microbiome study?

If so, please feel free to fill out an initial questionnaire: https://jrg2020.limequery.com/392366?lang=de&newtest=Y

or contact us at zahnmikrobiomstudie@uni-bonn.de!