Lecture Objectives

At the end of this lecture students should be able to

Describe what is Human Microora, Oral Microora
Describe the importance of relationship between host and
microora
Describe the diverse ecosystem of Oral Microora
Describe the relationship between Oral Health and General
Health

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WHAT IS NORMAL
MICROFLORA

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is the aggregate of microorganism that reside on

the surface and in deep layers of skin, in the saliva
and oral mucosa, in the conjuctiva, and in the
gastrointestinal tracts.

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Microora is a misnomer, Researchers prefer

Microbiota
In a healthy human, internal tissues are devoid of
microorganisms
Brain, Blood, Muscles etc

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human body contains an estimated up of 1014 cells

only 10% are mammalian cells
90% are resident microbiota

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so what is oral microora?

the microora existing in the oral cavity is called as

oral microora.

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FUNCTIONS OF ORAL
CAVITY

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COMMUNICATION
DIGESTIVE
SENSORY
GENERAL HEALTH

FIG.1

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ORAL
MICROFLORA

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The presence of nutrients, epithelial debris and

secretions makes the mouth a favorable habitat for
a variety of microorganisms
Streptococcus
Actinomyces
Prevotella
Fusobacterium

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The oral cavity represents a unique environment

succession of different ecological situations with
age
corresponds with the changes in the composition
of normal ora

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Haemophilus
Neisseria
S. mitis
S. pneumoniae

Corynebacterium
S. mitis
Staphylococcus

Streptococcus
Actinomyces
Fusobacterium
Porphyromonas

S. pyogenes
S. salivarius

Candida
Streptococcus

FIG.2

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SITE SPECIFICITY OF MICROBIAL ADHERENCE & COLONIZATION

at birth the oral cavity is composed solely of the

soft tissues of the lips, cheeks, soft palate and
tongue.
kept moist by the salivary secretions

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other species of streptococci adhere strongly to

gums and soft tissues
with the creation of gingival crevice area increases
the habitat for the variety of anaerobic species
complexity continues to increase with time

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RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN HOST AND
MICROFLORA

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does not have a passive relationship

Benecial association
contributes directly and indirectly to the normal
development
physiology
nutrition
defense

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Microbial colonization of all environmentally

accessible surfaces begins at birth
Exposed to wide range of microorganisms
Each surface is suitable for colonization by a
proportion of these microbes
Acquisition, selection and natural development of
diverse but characteristic microora

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Microbial ora exists in a harmonious relationship

with the host
if this relationship breaks down, disease can occur
in mouth this relationship is more prone to
breakdown than other parts of the body

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Breakdown is usually associated with

major changes to the biology of mouth from exogenous
sources
presence of the microorganisms at sites not normally
accessible to them

such microorganisms are termed as

opportunistic pathogens

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Many oral microorganisms have capacity to

behave as opportunistic pathogens
Common clinical manifestations of oral microora
imbalance are
Dental Caries
Periodontal diseases

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Dental Caries
is the dissolution of enamel or root surfaces
(demineralization) by acid produced primarily by
fermentation of carbohydrates in the diet by
bacteria colonizing the tooth surface (dental
plaque).

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Periodontal diseases

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MICROBIAL
ECOLOGY

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DISEASE

SUSCEPTIBLE

KEY ORAL

HOST

MICROORGANISM

ENVIRONMENTAL
TRIGGER

THE INTERRELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO ORAL DISEASE.

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SALIVA

LIFESTYLE

ORAL
MICROBIAL
ECOLOGY

MICROFLORA

HOST
DEFENSES

INTER-RELATIONSHIPS THAT INFLUENCE THE MICROBIAL ECOLOGY OF THE MOUTH

IN HEALTH & DISEASE
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THE ORAL MICROFLORA

AND GENERAL HEALTH

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Newer evidence is accumulating suggests that

periodontal diseases have an impact on general
health.

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PRETERM LABOR

DIABETES/ GLYCEMIC

ENTER BLOOD STREAM

CONTROL
PRETERM LOW BIRTH
WEIGHT

TRANSIENT BACTERAEMIAS

ATHEROSCLEROSIS

CORONARY HEART DISEASE

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RESERVOIR FOR
OPPORTUNISTIC PATHOGENS

HELICOBACTER PYLORI
(GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX)

ASPIRATION OF THESE PATHOGENS

INTO LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT
CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS LUNG
INFECTION

DETECTED IN DENTAL PLAQUE

LINKED WITH DEEP PERIODONTAL

POCKETS

CHRONIC GASTRITIS & STOMACH

ULCERS

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References
Philip D Marsh and Michael V Martin.Introduction in Oral Microbiology, 5th Edition. Churchil
Livingstone, 2009, pp 1-7.
Todars Online Textbook of Bacteriology, Internet: http://textbookofbacteriology.net/normalora.html
[Mar 3, 2012]
Fig 1. http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-51438295/stock-vector-oral-cavity.html
Fig 2. Complex Communities in Oral Microbiology at a Glance, Wiley-Blackwell, 2010. pp 28.

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