Oral microbiota and host oral mucosa

The oral microbiota and host oral mucosa represent a complex and dynamic biological system that serves as a critical interface between the host and the external environment (Dewhirst et al., 2010). This ecosystem consists of over 700 species of bacteria, along with fungi, viruses, and archaea, which colonize the various surfaces of the oral cavity, including the teeth and the mucosal epithelium (Lamont et al., 2018). Under healthy conditions, the host oral mucosa maintains a physical and immunological barrier while the commensal microbiota prevents the colonization of pathogens and aids in immune system maturation (Hajishengallis, 2015). However, a disruption in this symbiotic relationship, known as dysbiosis, is a primary driver of localized diseases such as periodontitis and dental caries, and has been increasingly linked to systemic conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes (NIDCR, 2023). Therapeutic strategies targeting this interface often involve broad-spectrum antimicrobials, probiotics, or biofilm disruptors designed to restore ecological balance rather than targeting a single molecular receptor (Marsh, 2010). Because this entry describes an entire biological environment rather than a specific protein or molecule, it is classified as a system-level target rather than a conventional therapeutic target.

Other names

Oral microbiome-host interfaceOral ecosystemOral commensal-host axisOral mucosal-microbial complex

Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis, disruption of biofilm architecture, and competitive inhibition of pathogens by commensal species.