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Cited by 1,256Oral microbiology and periodontitis researchBacterial biofilms and quorum sensingDental Health and Care Utilization

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 105 of the 105 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Are dental diseases examples of ecological catastrophes?

Marsh, P. D.·2003·Microbiology
DOI 10.1099/mic.0.26082-0
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Abstract

Dental diseases are among the most prevalent and costly diseases affecting industrialized societies, and yet are highly preventable. The microflora of dental plaque biofilms from diseased sites is distinct from that found in health, although the putative pathogens can often be detected in low numbers at normal sites. In dental caries, there is a shift towards community dominance by acidogenic and acid-tolerant Gram-positive bacteria (e.g. mutans streptococci and lactobacilli) at the expense of the acid-sensitive species associated with sound enamel. In contrast, the numbers and proportions of obligately anaerobic bacteria, including Gram-negative proteolytic species, increase in periodontal diseases. Modelling studies using defined consortia of oral bacteria grown in planktonic and biofilm systems have been undertaken to identify environmental factors responsible for driving these deleterious shifts in the plaque microflora. Repeated conditions of low pH (rather than sugar availability per se) selected for mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, while the introduction of novel host proteins and glycoproteins (as occurs during the inflammatory response to plaque), and the concomitant rise in local pH, enriched for Gram-negative anaerobic and asaccharolytic species. These studies emphasized (a). significant properties of dental plaque as both a biofilm and a microbial community, and (b). the dynamic relationship existing between the environment and the composition of the oral microflora. This research resulted in a novel hypothesis (the 'ecological plaque hypothesis') to better describe the relationship between plaque bacteria and the host in health and disease. Implicit in this hypothesis is the concept that disease can be prevented not only by directly inhibiting the putative pathogens, but also by interfering with the environmental factors driving the selection and enrichment of these bacteria. Thus, a more holistic approach can be taken in disease control and management strategies.

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Research works printed but not linked: 15

  1. Alexander, 1971, Microbial Ecology
  2. Birkedal-Hansen, 1998, Links between microbial colonization, inflammatory response and tissue destruction, 170
  3. Bowden, 1976, The microflora associated with developing carious lesions of the distal surfaces of the upper first premolars in 13–14 year old children, 233
  4. Ellwood, 1976, The mouth as a chemostat, 270
  5. Hamilton, 1987, Effects of changing environment on sugar transport and metabolism by oral bacteria, 94
  6. Lamont, 2000, Adhesion as an ecological determinant in the oral cavity, 131
  7. Marsh, 1989, Host defenses and microbial homeostasis: role of microbial interactions, J Dent Res, 68, 1567
  8. Marsh, 2000b, Oral ecology and its impact on oral microbial diversity, 11
  9. Marsh, 1998, Dental plaque: community spirit in action, 41
  10. Marsh, 1999, Microbial community aspects of dental plaque, 237
  11. Marsh, 1999, Oral Microbiology
  12. Marsh, 1993, Continuous culture studies, 105
  13. Marsh, 2002, Effect of a redox agent on obligate anaerobes in oral microbial communities, J Dent Res, 81, A
  14. Rosebury, 1962, Micro-organisms Indigenous to Man
  15. Sanders, 1984, Modification of normal flora by antibiotics: effects on individuals and the environment, 217

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Metadata

Authors
Marsh, P. D.
Affiliations
Research Division, Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, Salisbury SP4 0JG, and Division of Oral Biology, Leeds Dental Institute, Clarendon Way, Leeds LS2 9LU, UK
Corresponding author
Marsh, P. D.
ORCID
Marsh, P. D.
Venue
Microbiology
Publisher
Microbiology Society
Published
2003-02-01
Volume
149
Issue
2
Pages
279-294
ISSN
  • 1350-0872 (ISSN-L)
  • 1465-2080
DOI
10.1099/mic.0.26082-0
OpenAlex
W2098976315
Cited by
1,256
References
105
Citations by year
2026: 40 · 2025: 54 · 2024: 56 · 2023: 50 · 2022: 74 · 2021: 79 · 2020: 63 · 2019: 76 · 2018: 58 · 2017: 76 · 2016: 75 · 2015: 81 · 2014: 83 · 2013: 57 · 2012: 54
FWCI
24.21
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Microbiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Oral microbiology and periodontitis research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › General Dentistry › Dental Health and Care Utilization
Keywords
dental plaque, oral microbiota, dental caries, periodontal disease, mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria, acidogenic bacteria, microbial community dynamics, disease prevention, oral microbiology
MeSH terms
Bacteria, Anaerobic, Dental Plaque, Gram-Negative Anaerobic Bacteria, Gram-Positive Bacteria, Homeostasis, Humans, Mouth, Periodontal Diseases, Tooth Diseases, Ecosystem

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