Role of microbial biofilms in the maintenance of oral health and in the development of dental caries and periodontal diseases. Consensus report of group 1 of the Joint EFP/ORCA workshop on the boundaries between caries and periodontal disease

Abstract

Background and Aims The scope of this working group was to review (1) ecological interactions at the dental biofilm in health and disease, (2) the role of microbial communities in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and caries, and (3) the innate host response in caries and periodontal diseases. Results and Conclusions A health‐associated biofilm includes genera such as Neisseria, Streptococcus, Actinomyces, Veillonella and Granulicatella. Microorganisms associated with both caries and periodontal diseases are metabolically highly specialized and organized as multispecies microbial biofilms. Progression of these diseases involves multiple microbial interactions driven by different stressors. In caries, the exposure of dental biofilms to dietary sugars and their fermentation to organic acids results in increasing proportions of acidogenic and aciduric species. In gingivitis, plaque accumulation at the gingival margin leads to inflammation and increasing proportions of proteolytic and often obligately anaerobic species. The natural mucosal barriers and saliva are the main innate defence mechanisms against soft tissue bacterial invasion. Similarly, enamel and dentin are important hard tissue barriers to the caries process. Given that the present state of knowledge suggests that the aetiologies of caries and periodontal diseases are mutually independent, the elements of innate immunity that appear to contribute to resistance to both are somewhat coincidental.

Changes in oral microbiota due to orthodontic appliances: a systematic review

“…demineralizations or caries) and with periodontal disease [63]. Recent papers have highlighted the complexity of periodontal disease etiology, with a special focus on the identity of bacteria which are responsible for this pathology [64–66]. Thus, authors have stated that the presence alone of specific micriobial species seems insufficient in causing gingivitis and periodontal disease, and that the change in biofilm equilibrium is another key factor in the development of these diseases [64–66].…”

“…Recent papers have highlighted the complexity of periodontal disease etiology, with a special focus on the identity of bacteria which are responsible for this pathology [64–66]. Thus, authors have stated that the presence alone of specific micriobial species seems insufficient in causing gingivitis and periodontal disease, and that the change in biofilm equilibrium is another key factor in the development of these diseases [64–66]. Oral microbiota alterations registered in orthodontic patients appear to be consistent with the modifications occurring in patients with poor oral hygiene presenting gingivitis and/or periodontal diseases.…”

Probiotics, including nisin‐based probiotics, improve clinical and microbial outcomes relevant to oral and systemic diseases

“…Periodontitis, a disease characterized by gingival inflammation, loss of connective tissue attachment leading to resorption of alveolar bone and subsequent tooth loss, affects 45%‐50% of adults aged > 30 years in its mildest form, and > 60% of individuals aged > 65 years . Despite being considered a multifactorial disease, microbial biofilms are the primary etiological factor in chronic periodontitis …”

Rapid in Vitro Quantification of S. aureus Biofilms on Vascular Graft Surfaces

“…Although bacterial biofilms are naturally occurring in dental plaque (Sanz et al, 2017), their presence is mainly associated to critical medical conditions such as infections of the upper respiratory or urogenital tract, peritonitis, and on implanted medical devices, which are increasingly used (Lynch and Robertson, 2008; Romling et al, 2014). …”