Dental Plaques: Microbial Community of the Oral Cavity

Abstract

Dental plaques are the biofilms or the microbial population associated with the oral cavity and is responsible for several clinical conditions that affect the host system. Despite the fact that, the oral micro flora offer certain benefit to the host by offering protection to the epithelial cell from damage and enhances the digestion of some substrates, their harmful consequences cannot be denied. The oral cavity dwells over 700 different species of bacteria and is described as one of the most intricate ecosystem. Though majority of them are considered as commensally, some of them are responsible for oral infections ranging from cavities to periodontal diseases and gum related infections. The current review attempts to provide a better understanding of these bacterial communities of the oral cavity. The review provides the insights on dental plaque in general followed by the formation of these dental plaques and the stages involved in the growth and maturation of these dental biofilms. A wide range of micro flora is associated with dental plaques and the review has Attempted to list out the bacterial community at the respective clinical condition and their classification based on their location and stage of infection. The components and the consequences of the dental biofilms have addressed. The review also attempts to disclose the significance of molecular biological methods in improving the identification and characterization of the oral microbial community and has also focused on the possible treatment for dental plaques.

Synergistic interaction of eugenol and antimicrobial drugs in eradication of single and mixed biofilms of Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans

“…About 60–80% of the children have been suffering from dental caries (Maripandi et al 2011 ). Dental plaque is the most classic example of pathogenic biofilms (Vasudevan 2017 ). C. albicans can cause severe infection along with S. mutans in plaque biofilms in children with early childhood caries (Falsetta et al 2014 ; Hwang et al 2017 ).…”

Streptococcus mutans: has it become prime perpetrator for oral manifestations?

“…These biological films are complex amalgamation organic substance and are in fact a polysaccharide matrix which enables the microorganisms to anchor on a platform which could be biotic or abiotic. 25…”

Antibacterial Effect of Nannochloropsis Oculata as Root Canal Sterilization Material on Streptococcus Mutans Biofilm

“…inhibiting the transport of antibiotics through biofilm 18 . This formation process occured through several phases, which were the formation of pellicles, the beginning of bacterial attachment, bacterial colonization, maturation, and release of biofilm cells 5 .…”

“…The formation of biofilm is a defense mechanism for bacteria to stay alive in environmental conditions in the oral cavity and is not easily attacked by the immune response of the host or drugs 4 . This formation process occurs through several phases, which are the formation of pellicles on the surface of the tooth, the beginning of attachment of bacteria, bacterial colonization, maturation, and release of biofilm cells 5 . The formation of biofilm can be influenced by several things such as pH levels, nutrients, and host defense 6 .…”