A team of Newcastle dental researchers are carrying out a new study that aims to increase understanding of how the number and type of bacteria in the mouth changes over time, particularly in people who use tobacco or nicotine.
The study is looking for participants who either currently smoke or vape to take part. Participants will attend the National Institute for Health and Care Research Dental Clinical Research Facility (NIHR DCRF), located at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, for a single 60–90-minute visit.
Taking part involves the dental team collecting tartar (hardened dental plaque that can form on the tooth) from the surface of the tooth for analysis.
Participants will also be invited to have cells swabbed from their cheek, helping researchers to monitor the health of the cells and look for differences between the groups in the study.
Fascinating insight
Dr Richard Holliday, director of the NIHR DCRF and senior lecturer at Newcastle University’s School of Dental Sciences, is leading the study. He said:
“We are inviting people to take part in this study to help us understand how bacteria living in the mouth differ from person to person, compared to our ancestors’ mouths.
“The overall aim is to produce nearly 600 years of data on oral bacteria as part of a collaboration with the University of Leicester. It could give us fascinating insights into how changes in human diet and behaviours have had a long-lasting impact on our mouths today.
“In particular, we want to see whether past tobacco users had different oral bacteria in comparison to people who lived before tobacco was available to see if this influences the prevalence of tooth decay, tooth loss and gum disease.”
Taking part
As part of the study, a dental examination will be completed and a range of samples will be collected to understand the bacterial composition. After samples are collected, participants will be offered an optional scale and polish. The number of spaces on the study are limited.
Patterns across different lifetimes
Professor Nicholas Jakubovics, professor of oral microbiology at the School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University, said:
“There is a clear connection between tobacco smoking and gum disease in the modern age. However, ancient populations did not have access to oral care products that are available today. This study will help us understand disease patterns across different lifetimes and will show how the bacteria in our mouths have changed over time.”
Photo credit: Anna Davies-Barrett, University of Leicester
Dr Sarah Inskip from the University of Leicester, adds:
“People in early modern Britain consumed tobacco in different ways to today through methods such as pipes and chewing tobacco (snuff), so this study provides a unique opportunity to assess how modern types of use are changing our mouth health.”
Anyone who is interested in taking part can email [email protected].
- The study is funded by the Leverhulme Trust and is a collaboration between Newcastle University, The University of Leicester and The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust.
- Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals are both part of Newcastle Health Innovation Partners (NHIP). NHIP is one of eight prestigious Academic Health Science Centres (AHSCs) across the UK, bringing together partners to deliver excellence in research, health education and patient care.
