The human mouth is estimated to host over 700 species of bacteria. These bacteria can attach to various surfaces within the oral cavity, such as our teeth and gums, and form dental biofilms (also referred to as dental plaque).

Oral biofilms initially form from species of bacteria referred to as primary colonisers – microorganisms that are the first to adhere to surfaces within the oral cavity. These primary colonisers create nutrients, attachment sites and a low oxygen environment, which promote other microbial species to establish and consequently form complex biofilms.

Dental biofilms are a normal component of our oral environment. Unfortunately, these microbial communities can be disrupted and altered by environmental stressors such as a change in diet (eg high sugar consumption), poor oral hygiene practices and drugs like antibiotics. Such stressors can promote the proliferation of microbial species within the dental biofilm which initiate and drive oral diseases.

National Biofilms Innovation Centre: visit biofilms.ac.uk/the-impacts-of-biofilms-on-our-oral-health for the full article.