Oral Microbial Ecology: Current Research and New Perspectives

The oral cavity supports a rich and diverse microbial population. Oral health is dependent on the maintenance of stable microbial communities; disease occurs when this balance is disturbed and more pathogenic species outgrow the commensals. Health and disease in the mouth are active processes in which the ecology of communities, not of single organisms, is paramount. In this book, expert contributors from around the world provide an update on recent developments in the burgeoning field of oral microbial ecology. The chapters are arranged into five sections: microbial populations in oral biofilms, the structure of oral biofilms, communication and sensing within biofilms, health to disease, and new approaches for oral biofilm control. The various topics include: population biology * detection and culture of novel oral bacteria * bacterial catabolism of salivary substrates * structural organization of oral biofilms * the extracellular polysaccharides matrix * extracellular proteins and DNA in the matrix * a holistic view of inter-species bacterial interactions * environmental sensory perception * microbial community interactions of Streptococcus mutans * biofilms in periodontal health and disease * oral biofilms as a reservoir for pathogens * oral biofilms as a device for therapeutic agents * probiotics in oral healthcare. The book is an essential text for scientists interested in oral microbiology, bacterial communities, and biofilms. It is also recommended reading for anyone working in the areas of oral health, the pathogenesis of dental caries, and periodontal disease.