Oral Microbiome Dysbiosis and Surgical Outcomes

Abstract

The oral microbiome is complex with a diverse composition of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The microbiota can be affected by both genotypic and environmental factors such as stress and infection. Our published, preliminary data titled, "The Effect of Physical and Psychological Stress on the Oral Microbiome" indicates that stress can impact the composition of the oral microbiome which supports the current understanding that microbiome dysbiosis can predispose to oral and systemic diseases. [1] Recent research has emerged on the effects of gut microbiota dysbiosis and postoperative outcomes; however, oral microbiota dysbiosis in the context of postoperative complications remains to be explored.