Abstract
For millions of years, our resident microbes have coevolved and coexisted with us in a mostly symbiotic relationship. We form a "superorganism" with the microbiome playing a significant role in our health.
The mouth houses the second most diverse microbial community in the body. Through recent advances in technology, we have started to unravel the complexities of the oral microbiome and gained new insights into its role during both health and disease.
Perturbations of the oral microbiome through modern lifestyle can have detrimental consequences for our general and oral health. In dysbiosis, the equilibrium of oral ecosystem is disrupted, allowing disease-promoting bacteria to manifest and cause caries, gingivitis and periodontitis.
For practitioners and patients alike, promoting a balanced microbiome is therefore important to effectively maintain or restore oral health.