The Challenge of Treating Oral Infections Caused by Biofilms
In natural systems, the harsh environments, nutrient/respiration needs, and sheer flow, make a community lifestyle preferable or inevitable for microorganisms. Furthermore, the bacteria take advantage of the communities′ organization to protect them from eradication by conventional antimicrobial therapy. A biofilm community is a microorganism aggregate characterized by cells that are attached to a substratum or interface or to each other; are embedded in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that they have produced; and exhibitan altered phenotype with respect to growth rate and gene transcription. The oral cavity is an example of a challenging environment for the long-term persistence of bacteria and fungi. Fluctuations in nutrient supply, temperature, pH, and the shear force of saliva flow have selected for a biofilm community adapted to high cell density, species diversity, and dynamic growth conditions. The microorganism production of EPS matrix is als...