Dental plaque as a biofilm and a microbial community—Implications for health and disease
Open accessAbstract
Dental plaque is a structurally- and functionally-organized biofilm. Plaque forms in an ordered way and has a diverse microbial composition that, in health, remains relatively stable over time (microbial homeostasis). The predominant species from diseased sites are different from those found in healthy sites, although the putative pathogens can often be detected in low numbers at normal sites. In dental caries, there is a shift toward community dominance by acidogenic and acid-tolerating species such as mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, although other species with relevant traits may be involved. Strategies to control caries could include inhibition of biofilm development (e.g. prevention of attachment of cariogenic bacteria, manipulation of cell signaling mechanisms, delivery of effective antimicrobials, etc.), or enhancement of the host defenses. Additionally, these more conventional approaches could be augmented by interference with the factors that enable the cariogenic bacteria to escape from the normal homeostatic mechanisms that restrict their growth in plaque and out compete the organisms associated with health. Evidence suggests that regular conditions of low pH in plaque select for mutans streptococci and lactobacilli. Therefore, the suppression of sugar catabolism and acid production by the use of metabolic inhibitors and non-fermentable artificial sweeteners in snacks, or the stimulation of saliva flow, could assist in the maintenance of homeostasis in plaque. Arguments will be presented that an appreciation of ecological principles will enable a more holistic approach to be taken in caries control.
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Dental caries is often associated with increases of acidogenic mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, which can metabolize sugars to acid and lead to demineralization of enamel.
“Dental caries is often associated with increases of acidogenic mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, which can metabolize sugars to acid and consequentially lead to the demineralization of enamel [13].”
From Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities of Sulfated Polysaccharides from Marine Algae against Dental Plaque Bacteria (2018) · cites this paper as [13]
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- Authors
- Marsh, P. D.
- Corresponding author
- Marsh, Philip D
- ORCID
- Marsh, Philip D
- Venue
- BMC Oral Health
- Published
- 2006-06
- Volume
- 6
- Issue
- S1
- Pages
- S14-S14
- ISSN
- 1472-6831 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC2147593
- OpenAlex
- W2109833361
- Cited by
- 1,094
- References
- 36
- Citations by year
- 2026: 88 · 2025: 80 · 2024: 92 · 2023: 67 · 2022: 81 · 2021: 86 · 2020: 88 · 2019: 59 · 2018: 72 · 2017: 67 · 2016: 40 · 2015: 52 · 2014: 36 · 2013: 43 · 2012: 40
- FWCI
- 15.94
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- BMC Oral Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (acceptedVersion)
- 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 › Periodontics › Dental Health and Care Utilization
- Keywords
- dental plaque, biofilm, microbial communities, microbial homeostasis, dental caries, mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, acidogenic bacteria, caries management, sugar catabolism, artificial sweeteners, salivary flow, host defense, ecological principles
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