The increasing importance of the oral microbiome in periodontal health and disease

Plain language summaryThis paper discusses what we currently know about the microbiome and periodontal diseases. Plaque buildup can happen for various reasons, like eating sugary foods, changes in saliva and the microorganisms in the mouth and gut. To treat periodontal diseases, we currently use antimicrobial medications and scaling. For patients with periodontitis, root planing and deep pocket debridement are used. Dental probiotics are getting attention as a potential treatment option. They work by competing with harmful bacteria for nutrients and surfaces in the mouth, and there are also probiotics that target the gut microbiome. Herein, the aim is to discuss the current knowledge of microbiome and periodontal diseases. Current treatment strategies include mechanical therapy such as root planing, scaling, deep pocket debridement and antimicrobial chemotherapy as an adjuvant therapy. Among promising therapeutic strategies, dental probiotics and oral microbiome transplantation have gained attention, and may be used to treat bacterial imbalances by competing with pathogenic bacteria for nutrients and adhesion surfaces, as well as probiotics targeting the gut microbiome. Development of strategies to prevent and treat periodontal diseases are warranted as both are highly prevalent and can affect human health. Further studies are necessary to better comprehend the microbiome in order to develop innovative preventative measures as well as efficacious therapies against periodontal diseases. Tweetable abstractThe microbiome plays a critical in periodontal health and disease, and thus should be targeted in dental therapies.