Analysis of oral microbiota during sleep

The idea that oral self care should be performed before sleep to prevent oral infectious diseases is generally accepted, because the number of bacteria in saliva increases rapidly at night. However, the changes of oral biofilm during sleep is not clarified. This study aimed to investigate the changes in the microbiome of oral biofilms during sleep. Human oral biofilm samples were collected from several locations, such as the buccal mucosa, hard palate, tongue dorsum, gingival mucosa and tooth surface. Saliva was also collected. The results showed that the microbiome in various locations in the oral cavity was affected by sleep, and the changes depend on the genera and location.