Abstract
Biofilms are formed by the congregation of one or more types of microorganisms that can grow on a firm surface. Dental plaque is one of the most commonly forming biofilms in the oral cavity and appears as a slimy layer on the surface of the teeth. In general, the formation is slow, but biofilms are very adaptive to the changing environment, and a mature biofilm can cause many health-related problems in humans. These biofilms remain unaffected by antibiotics as they do not allow the penetration of antibiotics. Moreover, the increased level of virulence and antibiotic resistance of microorganisms in the oral biofilm or dental plaque has made its clinical management a serious challenge worldwide. Chlorhexidine-like antimicrobial drugs have been partially effective in removing such organisms; however, the precise and continuous elimination of these microorganisms without disturbing the normal microbial flora of the oral cavity is still a challenge. This review paper focuses on the process of oral biofilm formation, related complications, development of drug-resistant bacteria in these biofilms, and their effective management by the use of different novel techniques, available from various published research and review articles.
Highlights
Biofilm can be defined as a layer of both Grampositive and Gram-negative bacteria, which adhere and grow on any biotic or abiotic firm surface, surrounded by a self-formed mucilaginous matrix.[1,2] Biofilms are ubiquitous, and they can have serious ill health effects on humans
One of the prime examples is oral biofilm or dental plaque, which is a common phenomenon in the oral cavity of all mammals
The consumption of carbohydrate-rich food leads to increased secretion of organic acids by the bacteria forming oral biofilm or dental plaque
Summary
Shakti Rath, Ph.D.1*, Sourav Chandra Bidyasagar Bal, M.D.S.2, and Debasmita Dubey, Ph.D.3 1Associate Professor (Research), Central Research Laboratory, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India; 2Assistant Professor (Public Health Dentistry), Institute of Dental Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India; and 3Post Doctoral Fellow, Centre of Excellence in Natural Products and Therapeutics, Department of Biotechnology, Sambalpur University, Sambalpur, Odisha, India
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