Microbiome Modulators and Oral Health
The oral microbiota plays a significant role in human health. Dental caries and periodontitis are both diseases of microbial origin, and are extremely prevalent, posing a significant public health and economic burden worldwide. Halitosis is also very common, and is most frequently caused by bacterial biofilms on the posterior of the tongue. Beyond its impact on oral health, evidence continues to accumulate linking the oral microbiota to a number of systemic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, colorectal cancer, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Over the last two decades, emerging technologies, particularly sequencing, have transformed our understanding of the oral microbiota and its relationship to disease. We now understand that oral microbiota generally forms complex yet stable communities that are in a harmonious and mutually beneficial relationship with the host (normobiosis). Under some circumstances, however, this mutualistic relationship can breakdown due to imbalance in the composition and function of the microbiota (dysbiosis), which in turn can induce disease. In the case of dental caries and periodontal disease, this understanding is replacing the traditional view that these conditions represent infections by specific bacteria. These findings also challenge the existing prevention and treatment paradigms that rely on mechanical removal of dental plaque and use of nonspecific antibiotics and antiseptics. Therefore, research and development of novel approaches is warranted.
It seems likely that improved treatment modalities for treating conditions connected to dysbiosis of the oral microbiota will aim to modulate the composition and/or function of ecological community towards one that will re-establish normobiosis. This may be possible through the use of agents such as phage, antimicrobial peptides, small molecules, prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics and postbiotics. Although there have been some attempts to explore the possibility of using oral microbiome modulators to promote oral and systemic health, progress in this area of research remains limited. This article collection aims to address this gap. Studies of interest include, but are not limited to:
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Identification and/or screening of potential oral microbiome modulators using in vitro and ex vivo models.
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Computational or in silico approaches to identify potential oral microbiome modulators.
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Animal or human investigations to assess the efficacy of microbiome modulators as preventive or therapeutic aids.
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Mechanistic studies exploring interactions between microbiome modulators and specific oral microorganisms.
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Investigations aimed at identifying targetable drivers of oral microbial dysbiosis.