Salivary microbiota

Salivary microbiota refers to the complex and diverse collection of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea, that inhabit the human oral cavity and are suspended in saliva. This ecosystem plays a fundamental role in maintaining both oral and systemic health by providing a protective barrier against pathogenic colonization, contributing to the initial digestion of carbohydrates, and modulating local immune responses (Kilian et al., 2016, British Dental Journal). Unlike traditional molecular targets such as single receptors or enzymes, the salivary microbiota is a community-level therapeutic target where the objective is often to restore ecological balance rather than total eradication (Belibasakis et al., 2019, Molecular Oral Microbiology). Dysbiosis of the salivary microbiota is significantly linked to local diseases like dental caries and periodontitis, as well as systemic conditions including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers through the systemic dissemination of oral pathogens and inflammatory mediators (Genco & Sanz, 2020, Journal of Clinical Periodontology). Therapeutic interventions include the use of antiseptic mouthwashes, targeted antibiotics, and probiotics designed to selectively suppress pathogens like Porphyromonas gingivalis or promote beneficial species (Caselli et al., 2020, Journal of Clinical Medicine). As a diagnostic and therapeutic target, the salivary microbiota offers a non-invasive window into the host's health status and a means to prevent systemic inflammation through oral health management (He et al., 2015, Postgraduate Medical Journal).

Other names

Salivary microbiomeOral microbiotaOral microbiomeOral microflora

Broad-spectrum bacterial cell wall disruption, inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis, competitive exclusion by probiotic strains, and disruption of dental biofilm architecture.