Recent research has studied the oral microbiomes of males and females, and sought to find out if there are any differences in their composition. The oral microbiome refers to the community of microorganisms in our mouths. By knowing about any differences between males and females, dentists will be able to provide more tailored care.

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The oral microbiome refers to the large community of bacteria, viruses and fungi in our mouth. The microbiome is important for our oral health and impacts our immune system.

Our mouths are home to a diverse range of microorganisms that form biofilms on our teeth and gums. Therefore, it is important to be careful with what we put into our mouths.

But new research has discovered a previously unknown finding about the oral microbiome, which revolves around differences between males and females, and a potential influence on differences in the immune system [1].

The microbiome

As mentioned, the oral microbiome is very important to our oral health. Having a healthy community can protect our mouths from damage.

However, when unhealthy bacteria enters our mouths, this can lead to many problems, including tooth decay and gum disease.

The microbiome has been a key area of study for researchers in recent years. Advancements in technology have allowed researchers to gain more of an understanding of the microbiome.

Moreover, the difference in microbiomes between males and females has been another topic of interest. By learning about the differences in microbiomes, it can lead to more individualized care for patients.

The Research

The research was carried out by a team from the University of L’Aquila, Italy. Their findings have been published in the JCI Insight journal [1].

Many studies that involve the microbiome separate participants by the type of oral health issue present. However, this study looked at the sex of participants too, providing additional insights.

The study featured 643 participants, which were split into four groups. There were 103 males with healthy gums, 211 males with periodontitis (advanced gum disease), 82 females with healthy gums, and 247 females with periodontitis [1].

The researchers performed a meta-analysis using publicly available oral microbiome data. The analysis considered the 7 studies that had involved the 643 participants [1].

The results were interesting. Overall, the researchers noticed sex-based differences in terms of the microbial composition of the oral biofilms [1].

There were some similarities. However, one of the key differences was that females had a higher level of certain pathogenic bacteria compared to males [1].

Moreover, another disparity came at the level of the subgingival niche – which is a site that is linked to the immune system [1]. Again, more bacteria was present in females.

An additional finding suggested that those who smoked had more harmful bacteria in their mouths, which is unsurprising given the known harm of smoking [1].

But the researchers noticed that the communities interacted differently with the immune system, dependent on sex [1].

For example, the researchers identified a female-specific immune system activation that occurs in women with periodontitis, due to the presence of specific antibodies [1].

A complex relationship exists between the oral microbiome and the immune system. However, the research suggests that this relationship is influenced by sex.

The researchers have suggested that embracing these differences is important for advancing personalized medicine and improving health outcomes for all [1].

Summary

Scientists will hope that the findings of this research will further their understanding of the oral microbiome and inspire future research. Further research into the relationship between the oral microbiome and the immune system is certainly needed.

It is important to know about such differences. After all, many conditions show a bias towards one sex. For example, it is known that males have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular issues, whilst females have a higher risk of having autoimmune diseases [2].

By having this knowledge, it can hopefully lead to dentists providing more individualized care. This can lead to more personalized treatments being provided.

Therefore, better treatment outcomes should follow. This is a key aim for all dentists, with the hope that their patients receive high-quality treatment that they are left happy with.

Thinking points…

[1] Earlier on in the article we mentioned periodontitis – which is an advanced form of gum disease. Gum disease can be very debilitating and can cause several issues. Therefore, if you have gum disease, you may wish to consider available treatments, which can slow the progression of the condition. These treatments include root planing and scaling – why not have a discussion with your dentist about this?

[2] Following on from the above, gum disease develops slowly. It is important for the progression of the condition to be tracked. Therefore, remember to see your dentist regularly for a check-up, as they can take a look at your oral health, including the health of your gums. They will be able to provide advice and if necessary, treatment. We recommend that you book an appointment now!

What we offer at Taradale Dental

Taradale Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. At our Calgary dental clinic, we provide a range of services for our patients.

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary dental clinic at least twice per year for a regular dental check-up. At these check-ups, we provide a comprehensive review of a patient’s oral health. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For example, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To strengthen your oral health, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly.

Here at Taradale Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, teeth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

Moreover, the fees of our treatments at our Calgary dental clinic Taradale Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This ensures transparent and fair pricing, with no hidden costs.

We hope to see you soon at our Taradale Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://taradaledental.ca/!

References

[1] Del Pinot, R., Ferri, C., Giannoni, M., Cominelli, F., Pizarro, T. T., & Pietropaoli, D. (2024). Meta-analysis of oral microbiome reveals sex-based diversity in biofilms during periodontitis. JCI Insight. 9 (17): e171311. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.171311.

[2] Del Pinot, R., Pietropaoli, D., & Pizarro, T. T. (2025). Microbiome in oral biofilms differs by sex, and shapes immunity differently in females vs. males. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-02-microbiome-oral-biofilms-differs-sex.html. Last accessed: 15th February 2025.