Oral microbiology

Thrush, a common condition caused by overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans. Cases are characterized by growth of matted, yellow-white patches of fungus in the mouth. Oral microbiology is the study of the microorganisms (microbiotas) of the oral cavity and their interactions between oral microorganisms or with the host. The environment present in the human mouth is suited to the growth of characteristic microorganisms found there. It provides a source of water and nutrients, as well as a moderate temperature. Resident microbes of the mouth adhere to the teeth and gums to resist mechanical flushing from the mouth to stomach where acid-sensitive microbes are destroyed by hydrochloric acid. Recent approaches in the microbiome studies suggest that different niches in the oral cavity such as tooth surfaces, tongue dorsal, gingival crevices, buccal mucosa and saliva provide different conditions (different pH, oxygen levels, nutrient availability) and microenvironments that favour different types of microorganisms. Anaerobic bacteria in the oral cavity include: Actinomyces, Arachnia (Propionibacterium propionicus), Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Eubacterium, Fusobacterium, Lactobacillus