Population-based characterization of child and adolescent oral bacterial microbiome using 16S rRNA sequencing in Canada (microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com)

• Shared household environment (R²=0.61) is the strongest determinant of oral microbiome composition in children and adolescents.
• Age and ethnicity had modest effects (R²=0.014 and 0.01), while genetic relatedness showed negligible correlation.
• Sugar consumption frequency was the most impactful dietary factor, and ethnicity-diet interactions were noted.

"A study of 4,812 saliva samples from children and adolescents in Toronto, Canada (Spit for Science cohort) identified shared household environment as the strongest determinant of oral bacteriome composition (R²=0.61), followed by age and ethnicity. Diet, particularly sugar consumption, also significantly impacts the microbiome. Genetic relatedness showed weak correlation. The study provides a reference atlas for pediatric oral microbiome research."