Oral bacteria and multispecies oral biofilms

Oral bacteria and multispecies oral biofilms refer to the complex, highly organized microbial communities that colonize the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity, commonly known as dental plaque (PMID: 21760642). These biofilms consist of hundreds of bacterial species, such as Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis, embedded within a protective matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and salivary glycoproteins (PMID: 10629808). While these communities are part of the normal human microbiota, a shift in their composition—known as dysbiosis—is the primary driver of oral diseases like dental caries and periodontitis (PMID: 28214110). Therapeutic interventions target these biofilms through mechanical disruption, the use of antiseptics like chlorhexidine to reduce microbial load, or fluoride to inhibit bacterial metabolism and promote enamel remineralization. Managing these biofilms is a significant clinical challenge due to their inherent resistance to antimicrobial agents and the necessity of maintaining a healthy balance of commensal microorganisms to prevent opportunistic infections (PMID: 25637751). Furthermore, oral biofilms are increasingly recognized for their potential role in systemic conditions, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes, making them a critical target for both local and systemic health (PMID: 23633130).

Other names

Dental plaqueOral microbiomeOral biofilmDental biofilmSubgingival plaqueSupragingival plaque

Drugs targeting oral biofilms act through the disruption of bacterial cell membranes, inhibition of metabolic enzymes such as enolase, interference with bacterial adhesion to the acquired pellicle, and the degradation of the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix (PMID: 21760642, PMID: 28214110).