Oral Microbiota
By Sally Robertson, BSc
The mouth is colonized by a rich and diverse microbial community made up of more than 700 different species of bacteria, certain species of fungi, and even protozoa.
The oral cavity contains both beneficial and pathogenic microbes. Pathogenic microorganisms often reside on the pellicle, a layer of proteins and other large molecules that lines the surface of the enamel and has a thickness of around 10μm. The pathogens coat the enamel and form a biofilm layer referred to as plaque.
Initially, plaque affects the teeth, causing the formation of cavities or tooth decay. In particular, a combination of two pathogens, the bacteria Streptococcus mutans and the fungus Candida albicans, causes this dental caries, which is a common and chronic condition that can affect any age group.
http://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/Oral-Microbiota.aspx
