Diseases Associated with Oral Polymicrobial Biofilms

Abstract

The human body can be defined as a symbiotic interaction between eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic cells. The body contains approximately ten times more microbial cells than mammalian cells. Fortunately, a large segment of the microbiome is both helpful and non-harmful, and constitutes the normal microbiome throughout the entire body. The digestive tract and the skin are the most microbial-rich sites containing approximately 1000 species of bacteria. The mouth is another site harbouring a diverse, abundant, and complex microbial community. Microorganisms in the mouth accumulate on both the hard and soft oral tissues and are frequently organised as microbial biofilm. This biofilm is usually harmless, yet under certain conditions, it may locally and systemically be the source of infection. This review focuses on oral biofilm formation and the diseases that may cause.