Acquisition and establishment of the oral microbiota

Abstract

Acquisition and establishment of the oral microbiota occur in a dynamic process over various stages and involve close and continuous interactions with the host and its environment. In the present review, we discuss the stages of this process in chronological order. We start with the prenatal period and address the following questions: ‘Is the fetus exposed to maternal microbiota during pregnancy?’ and ‘If so, what is the potential role of this exposure?’ We comment on recent reports of finding bacterial DNA in placenta during pregnancies, and provide current views on the potential functions of prenatal microbial encounters. Next, we discuss the physiological adaptations that take place in the newborn during the birth process and the effect of this phase of life on the acquisition of the oral microbiota. Is it really just exposure to maternal vaginal microbes that results in the difference between vaginally and Cesarian section‐born infants? Then, we review the postnatal phase, in which we focus on transmission of microbes, the intraoral niche specificity, the effects of the host behavior and environment, as well as the role of genetic background of the host on shaping the oral microbial ecosystem. We discuss the changes in oral microbiota during the transition from deciduous to permanent dentition and during puberty. We also address the finite knowledge on colonization of the oral cavity by microbes other than the bacterial component. Finally, we identify the main outstanding questions that limit our understanding of the acquisition and establishment of a healthy microbiome at an individual level.

High-Level Acquisition of Maternal Oral Bacteria in Formula-Fed Infant Oral Microbiota

“…In fact, a similar tendency, where breastfeeding for a long duration was associated with a lower microbial maturity, was also observed in the gut microbiota ( 27 ). In addition to a nutritional role as an optimal food containing various nutrients, breast milk plays an immunological role as a gatekeeper while the infant immune system is immature by providing protective factors such as immunoglobulins, leukocytes, lactoferrin, and lysozyme ( 28 , 29 ). The xanthine oxidase in breast milk has unique antibacterial activity within the neonatal mouth during breastfeeding and has also been reported to react with xanthine and hypoxanthine, which are abundant in neonatal saliva, and generate reactive oxygen species ( 30 ).…”

Reduction of aerosols and splatter generated during ultrasonic scaling by adding food-grade thickeners to coolants: an in-vitro study

“…), and effect of these agents on various dental procedures such as bonding procedures must be further examined. Additionally, because the oral cavity harbors a complex microbiota whose composition may be influenced by a wide range of local and external factors [ 38 , 39 ], it is crucial to examine the microbiological profile/status of prepackaged thickening coolant solutions that have been exposed to clinical environment contaminates over time, as well as their potential effect on the composition and equilibrium of the oral microbiota [ 40 ]. Therefore, clinical studies must be performed to examine the applicability and effectiveness of these agents on aerosol and splatter mitigation in real dental clinical settings.…”

Oral Microbiota: A Major Player in the Diagnosis of Systemic Diseases

“…The accessibility of the site has made the oral microbiota one of the best-known bacterial communities in the human body, with more than 500 different species identified in adults. Even if the maternal microbiota already plays an important role in the neurodevelopment of the fetus before birth [12,13], the acquisition of the microbiota begins in the first minutes of life through direct contact with the maternal microbiota (skin, vagina, and mouth) [14]. The child's environment is also essential to the construction of its microbiota which is not solely acquired through heredity [4].…”