The oral cavity is made up of various microbial habitats, from our mucosal surfaces to our teeth. In a healthy oral cavity, there is a homeostatic and symbiotic relation between microbes and the host tissues. Saliva is an abundant biofluid found in the oral cavity that is instrumental in processes such as mastication, speech, swallowing and most importantly maintaining the oral homeostasis. The human salivary microbiome is comprised of microorganisms, which are mainly shed from oral surfaces. On one hand, saliva creates a nutrient-rich and humid environment, which allows oral microbes to grow and increase their numbers. On the other hand, salivary antimicrobial peptides and molecules suppress the excess growth of microbes. The salivary microbiome is a dynamic environment that changes continuously throughout our lifetime. Various factors, such as diet, age, lifestyle, and systemic diseases, alter the composition of the oral microbiome. Indeed, chronic or prolonged disturbances to the oral and salivary microbiome can induce dysbiosis and contribute to oral or systemic diseases.
Technological improvements over the past three decades enabled researchers to widely use –omics technologies also in oral sciences. Our knowledge on the microbial composition of saliva and dental plaque is higher than ever. Yet, further studies are still needed to explore the full dynamics of the salivary microbiome during different disease states, and the possible impact of the metabolic functions of the salivary microbiome on oral and general health. A clearer understanding of this could lead to more personalized approaches in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, by targeting the salivary microbiome.
The goal of this Research Topic is therefore to explore new insights into the role of the salivary microbiome in oral and general health and disease. This Research Topic welcomes submissions that characterize the functional and metabolic characteristics of the salivary microbiome and its role in oral health and disease, systemic diseases, or its links with the gut microbiome.
The oral cavity is made up of various microbial habitats, from our mucosal surfaces to our teeth. In a healthy oral cavity, there is a homeostatic and symbiotic relation between microbes and the host tissues. Saliva is an abundant biofluid found in the oral cavity that is instrumental in processes such as mastication, speech, swallowing and most importantly maintaining the oral homeostasis. The human salivary microbiome is comprised of microorganisms, which are mainly shed from oral surfaces. On one hand, saliva creates a nutrient-rich and humid environment, which allows oral microbes to grow and increase their numbers. On the other hand, salivary antimicrobial peptides and molecules suppress the excess growth of microbes. The salivary microbiome is a dynamic environment that changes continuously throughout our lifetime. Various factors, such as diet, age, lifestyle, and systemic diseases, alter the composition of the oral microbiome. Indeed, chronic or prolonged disturbances to the oral and salivary microbiome can induce dysbiosis and contribute to oral or systemic diseases.
Technological improvements over the past three decades enabled researchers to widely use –omics technologies also in oral sciences. Our knowledge on the microbial composition of saliva and dental plaque is higher than ever. Yet, further studies are still needed to explore the full dynamics of the salivary microbiome during different disease states, and the possible impact of the metabolic functions of the salivary microbiome on oral and general health. A clearer understanding of this could lead to more personalized approaches in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, by targeting the salivary microbiome.
The goal of this Research Topic is therefore to explore new insights into the role of the salivary microbiome in oral and general health and disease. This Research Topic welcomes submissions that characterize the functional and metabolic characteristics of the salivary microbiome and its role in oral health and disease, systemic diseases, or its links with the gut microbiome.