Oral pathogenic bacteria and biofilms

Oral pathogenic bacteria and their biofilms are structured microbial communities that adhere to oral surfaces, such as teeth and gingival tissues, encased in a protective extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix (Marsh, P. D., 2004, PubMed). These biofilms are the primary drivers of oral diseases, including dental caries, which result from acid production by species like Streptococcus mutans, and periodontitis, driven by anaerobic pathogens like Porphyromonas gingivalis (StatPearls, 2023). The biofilm structure provides a physical barrier and a specialized microenvironment that protects bacteria from host immune defenses and increases their tolerance to antibiotics by up to 1000-fold compared to planktonic cells (NIH, 2021). Therapeutic interventions aim to disrupt these communities through mechanical debridement or chemical agents like chlorhexidine and fluoride, which target bacterial metabolism and membrane integrity (PubChem, 2024). Managing these biofilms is critical not only for oral health but also for preventing systemic complications linked to oral dysbiosis, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes (Journal of Oral Microbiology, 2020).

Other names

Dental plaqueOral microbiotaCariogenic bacteriaPeriodontal pathogensOral biofilm

Antimicrobial agents target oral biofilms by disrupting bacterial cell membranes, inhibiting essential metabolic enzymes like enolase, interfering with cell wall synthesis, or disrupting DNA synthesis and replication.