Cited by 376Oral microbiology and periodontitis researchDental Health and Care UtilizationBacterial biofilms and quorum sensing

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Microbiology of Dental Plaque Biofilms and Their Role in Oral Health and Caries

Marsh, Philip D.·2010·Dental Clinics of North America

DOI 10.1016/j.cden.2010.03.002

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Abstract

Dental plaque is the biofilm found naturally on teeth. Dental plaque is also implicated in dental caries, which is associated with shifts in the microbial balance of the biofilm resulting in increased proportions of acid producing and acid tolerating bacteria, especially (but not exclusively) mutans streptococci and lactobacilli. The regular intake of fermentable dietary sugars, or impaired saliva flow, produces persistent conditions of low pH within the biofilm, which selects for these cariogenic bacteria. Clinicians should prevent this disruption to the natural microbial balance of the biofilm (relevant approaches are described) rather than merely treating its consequences by restoring cavities.

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Marsh, 1989, Host defenses and microbial homeostasis: role of microbial interactions, J Dent Res, 68, 1567

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Authors: Marsh, P. D.
Affiliations: Health Protection Agency (GB)
Corresponding author: Marsh, Philip D.
ORCID: Marsh, Philip D.
Venue: Dental Clinics of North America
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2010-07
Volume: 54
Issue: 3
Pages: 441-454
ISSN: 0011-8532 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.cden.2010.03.002
OpenAlex: W1983606482
Cited by: 372
References: 62
Citations by year: 2026: 17 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 30 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 34 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 18
FWCI: 15.21
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Dental Clinics of North America (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Oral microbiology and periodontitis research
Health Sciences › Dentistry › General Dentistry › Dental Health and Care Utilization
Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
Keywords: dental plaque, biofilm, dental caries, oral microbiota, mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, acidogenic bacteria, dietary sugar, salivary flow, biofilm pH, dental caries prevention, oral health
MeSH terms: Bacteria, Dental Caries, Dental Plaque, Humans, Mouth, Oral Health, Biofilms, Microbial Interactions

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Microbiology of Dental Plaque Biofilms and Their Role in Oral Health and Caries

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