Cited by 1,269Oral microbiology and periodontitis researchGut microbiota and healthDental Research and COVID-19

The oral microbiome – an update for oral healthcare professionals

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Kilian, M., Chapple, I. L. C., Hannig, M., Marsh, P. D., Meuric, V., Pedersen, A. M. L., Tonetti, M. S., Wade, W. G. +1 more·2016·British Dental Journal

Abstract

For millions of years, our resident microbes have coevolved and coexisted with us in a mostly harmonious symbiotic relationship. We are not distinct entities from our microbiome, but together we form a 'superorganism' or holobiont, with the microbiome playing a significant role in our physiology and health. The mouth houses the second most diverse microbial community in the body, harbouring over 700 species of bacteria that colonise the hard surfaces of teeth and the soft tissues of the oral mucosa. Through recent advances in technology, we have started to unravel the complexities of the oral microbiome and gained new insights into its role during both health and disease. Perturbations of the oral microbiome through modern-day lifestyles can have detrimental consequences for our general and oral health. In dysbiosis, the finely-tuned equilibrium of the oral ecosystem is disrupted, allowing disease-promoting bacteria to manifest and cause conditions such as caries, gingivitis and periodontitis. For practitioners and patients alike, promoting a balanced microbiome is therefore important to effectively maintain or restore oral health. This article aims to give an update on our current knowledge of the oral microbiome in health and disease and to discuss implications for modern-day oral healthcare.

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  • Accumulation of subgingival biofilms initiates development of clinical signs of gingivitis.

    “Accumulation of subgingival biofilms initiates development of clinical signs of gingivitis”

    From The dental plaque biofilm matrix (2021) · cites this paper as [278]

    In “Dysbiosis as origin of caries and periodontitis” (page unavailable), the paper says biofilm accumulation triggers gingivitis and describes resulting inflammation and potential bleeding. It does not specifically identify subgingival biofilm accumulation as the initiating event; its discussion of subgingival colonisation places it after plaque accumulation and gingivitis. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • As a result of complex interactions between subgingival biofilms and the host immune response, gingivitis can further develop to periodontitis with concomitant loss of periodontal supportive tissues.

    “As a result of complex interactions between subgingival biofilms and the host immune response, gingivitis can further develop to periodontitis with concomitant loss of periodontal supportive tissues (Figure 7B).239,278,279”

    From The dental plaque biofilm matrix (2021) · cites this paper as [278]

  • Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease driven by dysbiosis of dental biofilms.

    “Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease driven by dysbiosis of dental biofilms (Baker et al., 2023; Kilian et al., 2016; Kinane et al., 2017).”

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Cited by

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Authors
Kilian, M., Chapple, I. L. C., Hannig, M., Marsh, P. D., Meuric, V., Pedersen, A. M. L., Tonetti, M. S., Wade, W. G., & Zaura, E.
Affiliations
  • Aarhus University (DK)
  • University of Birmingham (GB)
  • Saarland University (DE)
  • University of Leeds (GB)
  • Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes (FR)
  • University of Copenhagen (DK)
  • University of Hong Kong (HK)
  • Queen Mary University of London (GB)
  • Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam (NL)
Corresponding author
Kilian, M.
Venue
British Dental Journal
Published
2016-11
Volume
221
Issue
10
Pages
657-666
ISSN
  • 0007-0610 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-5373
OpenAlex
W2550762460
Cited by
1,269
References
96
Citations by year
2026: 123 · 2025: 140 · 2024: 163 · 2023: 169 · 2022: 144 · 2021: 157 · 2020: 139 · 2019: 109 · 2018: 85 · 2017: 34 · 2016: 2
FWCI
114.50
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • BDJ (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • VU Research Portal (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (acceptedVersion)
  • HAL (submittedVersion)
  • UvA-DARE (University of Amsterdam) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • The HKU Scholars Hub (University of Hong Kong) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (submittedVersion)
  • University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Oral microbiology and periodontitis research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › General Dentistry › Dental Research and COVID-19
Keywords
oral microbiota, holobiont, dysbiosis, oral bacteria, oral health, dental caries, gingivitis, periodontitis, oral mucosa, lifestyle factors, oral care
MeSH terms
Dental Caries, Humans, Mouth, Oral Health, Periodontitis, Microbiota

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