[Dissertation 25 years after date 42. Dental caries and the role of specific bacteria]

During the past 25 years, oral microbiology has developed from researching a limited number of pathogenic microorganisms to a field in which the entire oral micro flora is studied. While 25 years ago, a limited number of species were studied, now the thousands of species that can be found in the mouth are the subject of research. We can now study the effects of bacteria and fungi on each other, but also make small steps in terms of features that microorganisms occupy in the network of the complex biofilm. The biofilm can be seen as a complex ecosystem, which may be unique to each individual and certainly should not always be treated antimicrobially. It is better to stimulate the healthy biofilm and to prevent transmission of pathogens by targeted infection prevention measures. These measures may only be applied if appropriate microbiological knowledge is present.