The Caries Microbiome: Implications for Reversing Dysbiosis

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Oral Health
• Dental Caries Research

Background:

• The oral microbiome significantly impacts oral health, with dysbiosis linked to frequent carbohydrate intake and acid production.
• Understanding the caries-associated microbiome is crucial for developing strategies to restore oral health.
• Current research aims to determine if monitoring specific key species or multiple species is sufficient for risk assessment and treatment studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of monitoring specific oral microbial species versus multiple species for caries risk assessment.
• To explore the association of various oral bacteria with dental caries progression.
• To identify key bacterial species indicative of caries development and progression.

Main Methods:

• Historical review of microbial monitoring techniques, from culture-based methods to advanced molecular approaches like DNA probes, 16S rRNA probes, and next-generation sequencing (NGS).
• Analysis of studies associating specific bacterial groups, including mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, Actinomyces, and Scardovia wiggsiae, with dental caries.
• Comparison of microbial profiles in populations with varying caries experiences and oral hygiene levels.

Main Results:

• Early culture-based methods identified major oral bacteria; gene probes and DNA probes confirmed the role of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in caries.
• 16S rRNA probes revealed the high diversity of oral and caries-associated microbiomes.
• NGS identified a strong link between mutans streptococci and caries in individuals with poor oral hygiene, while other acidogenic taxa were prevalent in lower caries populations.

Conclusions:

• Specific bacterial species, such as Actinomyces and Scardovia wiggsiae, exhibit cariogenic traits like acid production and tolerance.
• While assaying selected species may suffice for aggressive caries, assessing multiple species is likely necessary for a comprehensive understanding of caries profiles in diverse populations.
• Microbial monitoring strategies should be tailored based on the specific disease presentation and population studied.