Exploring the oral microbiome: an updated multidisciplinary oral healthcare perspective

Abstract

The oral cavity is home to diverse microbial content, collectively called as the oral microbiome. The latest technological advancements have unraveled the intricacies of the oral microbiome. It can be of great importance for oral health care givers to know the fundamentals and latest developments in the field of the oral microbiome, as oral dysbiosis is associated with many common diseases frequently seen and managed by them. These diseases include dental caries, periodontitis, mucosal diseases (such as oral leukoplakia, oral lichen planus, and systemic lupus erythematosus), oral cancers, and even co-infections related to the current COVID-19 pandemic. The emergence of new genomic and molecular biology methodologies has been pivotal for understanding the role of the human microbiome in health and disease. The current review compiles oral microbiome in health and disease with a multidisciplinary dental approach. The insight into the oral microbiome, which is provided dental specialty wise in the current article will initiate and guide researchers of various disciplines in developing microbiome-based therapeutic or prophylactic management strategies, managing public health challenges by microbiome-based boarder interventions and divert resources for preserving and achieving a balanced oral microbiome.

Keywords: 16S rRNA; Biofilm; HOMD.; dysbiosis; genus; microbiome; microflora; microorganism.

Figure 1. Factors determining composition of oral microbiome and catalogued oral microbiome groups in health and disease. Adapted, modified and compiled from references

Figure 2. Summary and points to remember about oral microbiome in a multidisciplinary dental perspective