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The aim of the study was to monitor changes in oral health and oral biofilm composition in vivo during an experiment simulating prehistoric lifestyle and diet and poor oral hygiene. Thirteen subjects lived for a period of 8 weeks under Neolithic conditions. The following clinical parameters were recorded before and after the project: gingival and plaque index (Löe and Silness, Acta Odontol Scand 21:533, ; Silness and Löe, Acta Odontol Scand 22:121–135, ), probing pocket depth, and bleeding upon probing. In addition, supragingival plaque samples were collected both before and after the project and were analysed quantitatively using multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridization and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The following plaque bacteria were evaluated: Streptococcus spp., Veillonella spp., Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Actinomyces naeslundii. The plaque index increased significantly from 1.12 up to 1.55 over the 8-week period (gingival index before, 0.46; after, 0.93; p < 0.05). A strong correlation of both indices was recorded before ( r = 0.77) and after ( r = 0.83) participation in the study. Each of the children in the study showed a progression of carious lesions and/or new areas of demineralisation. The probing pocket depth and bleeding upon probing were not affected. All subjects yielded an intra-individual shift in biofilm composition. The proportion of F. nucleatum decreased across all subjects. The proportion of Veillonella spp. increased among the children. Poor oral hygiene and change of diet lead to an increase in oral plaque and gingival inflammation. The inter-individual comparison indicated a shift in bacterial composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Patients with anorexia nervosa are at high risk for general and oral diseases. However, not all anorexic patients suffer from them, irrespective of the severity of their eating disorder. It is often speculated that differences in the saliva are important; however, little is known about salivary parameters in anorexic patients. The aim of the clinical trial was to evaluate stimulated and resting salivary flow rate and the activity of the following enzymes in both types of saliva: amylase, aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), collagenase, lysozyme, peroxidase, serine and acidic proteases, and trypsin in persons with anorexia nervosa (AN) and to compare them with those of healthy controls., Materials and Methods: Sixty-six subjects participated (28 patients with anorexia nervosa, 38 matched healthy controls)., Results: Regarding flow rate, stimulated and unstimulated levels were significantly lower in the AN group than in the controls. Activities of collagenase and AST in stimulated saliva were significantly higher in anorexic participants. In the AN group, changes due to salivary stimulation were found for the activity of acidic proteases, AST, and lysozyme., Conclusion: Reduced salivary flow might be one indicator of anorexia. Despite starvation and anorexia development, salivary key enzymes show physiological activity. This indicates a partial adaptation of the organism to severe condition during malnutrition., Clinical Relevance: Further research is needed into possible role of reduced collagenase and transaminase activities in maintaining protection against external noxae and bacteria which might have impact on general oral health among patients with anorexia nervosa.