Oral biofilm: Systemic and psychiatric implications

Abstract

The oral cavity, being an excellent residence for a plethora of microbes, forms biofilm in various compartments. Acting as a preferable habitat with rich nutrients and other facilities, it hosts an array of bacteria, along with members of fungi, archaea, protozoa, and viruses that naturally or accidentally reside in the oral cavity. The dysbiosis of oral microbiota induces diseases and disorders in various physiological systems, including cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, excretory, reproductive, immune, and neurological systems, leading to various diseases and even cancer. Neurological and other disorders contribute to several psychiatric ailments. Hence, oral ill health not only leads to diseases such as periodontitis and tooth loss but might also result in unpredictable diseases, including carcinogenesis. Oral problems also lead to cognitive dysfunction, dementia, and other psychosocial embarrassments. The induction of these deadly diseases might be predicted by analyzing the oral microbial composition; therefore, the overabundance of microbes such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium in the oral microbiome might be used as the bioindicator of various diseases, proving the unequivocal role of oral biofilm in the onset of various systemic and psychiatric ailments.