The oral microbiome in health and disease

The mouth is one of the most heavily colonized parts of our bodies with microorganisms that live in symbiosis with healthy individuals who have adequate dietary and oral hygiene habits. Nevertheless, perturbations in the microbiome due to stress factors, such as high carbohydrate intake and biofilm accumulation, can lead to dysbiosis and the development of oral diseases and systemic diseases. The most prevalent oral diseases are dental caries and periodontal diseases, but soft tissue infections are also prevalent. The 2022 joint FDI Science Committee-IADR Forum will focus on the importance of the oral microbiome in health and disease, including dysbiosis, why it matters, and novel approaches to prevention and treatment of oral health and general health problems. 

The mouth is one of the most heavily colonized parts of our bodies with microorganisms that live in symbiosis with healthy individuals who have adequate dietary and oral hygiene habits. Nevertheless, perturbations in the microbiome due to stress factors, such as high carbohydrate intake and biofilm accumulation, can lead to dysbiosis and the development of oral diseases and systemic diseases. The most prevalent oral diseases are dental caries and periodontal diseases, but soft tissue infections are also prevalent. The 2022 joint FDI Science Committee-IADR Forum will focus on the importance of the oral microbiome in health and disease, including dysbiosis, why it matters, and novel approaches to prevention and treatment of oral health and general health problems. 

Learning objectives:

• To understand the oral microbiome, its interaction with the host, and how dysbiosis happens
• To identify what a healthy oral microbiome looks like
• To demonstrate the role of probiotics for a healthy oral microbiome
• To explore how current evidence on the oral microbiome can be translated into innovative solutions