Bacterium associated with dental plaque

Bacteria associated with dental plaque are the diverse microbial species that make up the biofilm known as dental plaque, found on tooth surfaces in the oral cavity. This community includes primary colonizers like Streptococcus and Actinomyces species, as well as secondary and late colonizers such as Fusobacterium, Veillonella, Porphyromonas, and others. The biofilm formation involves initial adhesion, coaggregation, and maturation processes, leading to complex, structured microbial communities. These bacteria metabolize dietary carbohydrates to produce acids, playing central roles in the pathogenesis of dental caries, gingivitis, and periodontitis. While specific bacteria within this community can be therapeutic targets (e.g., Streptococcus mutans or Porphyromonas gingivalis), the phrase "Bacteria associated with dental plaque" is not itself a distinct molecular target—it refers to a heterogeneous group, not a defined receptor, enzyme, or transporter[1][3][5][7]. Key Context: - The term refers to a polymicrobial community with hundreds of species, not a single molecular entity[5][7]. - The most abundant and clinically relevant genera include *Streptococcus*, *Veillonella*, *Actinomyces*, *Fusobacterium*, *Porphyromonas*, *Prevotella*, and *Neisseria*[5][7]. - Therapeutic strategies often aim to target or disrupt the structure and metabolic activities of this microbial community, or the specific pathogenic members within it[2][4][6][8]. Note: The query's target is not a single molecule, protein, or receptor but a large, dynamically changing community of microorganisms. For structured database purposes, it is not a correct molecular target. For specific therapeutic targeting, individual pathogenic bacteria from within dental plaque (e.g., Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis) are the relevant canonical forms. For this reason, is_incorrect = true.

Other names

Dental plaque bacteriaOral biofilm bacteriaCariogenic bacteriaPeriodontal pathogen

Disruption of bacterial cell membranes (antimicrobial peptides, antiseptics); Inhibition of biofilm matrix synthesis or adhesion; Inhibition of bacterial metabolism or reproductive capacity