Oral biofilm pH

Oral biofilm pH refers to the microenvironmental hydrogen ion concentration within dental plaque biofilms. Biofilm pH fluctuates in response to dietary sugars, microbial metabolism, and local saliva composition. Prolonged low pH (acidic conditions) in oral biofilm promotes the growth of aciduric bacteria, disrupts microbial ecological balance, and is a critical trigger for dental caries. Therapeutic strategies sometimes use pH-responsive agents that are selectively activated in acidic biofilm niches to enhance targeted antibiofilm activity and minimize off-target effects. Oral biofilm pH is measured using techniques such as fluorescence lifetime imaging or microelectrode probes and is a significant parameter for caries risk assessment and effectiveness of pH-sensitive therapies[1][2][3].

Other names

biofilm pHplaque pHintra-biofilm pH

Selective activation of antimicrobial/antibiofilm activity under acidic (low pH) conditions by protonation, charge shift, or pH-triggered drug release