Formation, architecture, and persistence of oral biofilms: recent scientific discoveries and new strategies for their regulation

Complex microbial interactions occur on the surfaces within the oral cavity, where biofilms form highly organized ecosystems composed of diverse microbial communities and their metabolic products. These biofilms, typically located on the tooth surface or within the gingival sulcus, play a crucial ro...

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Main Authors: Chengyuan Lv, Ziyi Wang, Zehui Li, Xialing Shi, Mingming Xiao, Yan Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Microbiology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1602962/full
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author Chengyuan Lv
Ziyi Wang
Ziyi Wang
Ziyi Wang
Zehui Li
Xialing Shi
Mingming Xiao
Yan Xu
author_facet Chengyuan Lv
Ziyi Wang
Ziyi Wang
Ziyi Wang
Zehui Li
Xialing Shi
Mingming Xiao
Yan Xu
author_sort Chengyuan Lv
collection DOAJ
description Complex microbial interactions occur on the surfaces within the oral cavity, where biofilms form highly organized ecosystems composed of diverse microbial communities and their metabolic products. These biofilms, typically located on the tooth surface or within the gingival sulcus, play a crucial role in both oral and systemic health. Recent studies have significantly improved our understanding of the mechanisms of biofilm formation, their structural characteristics, and their persistence over time. However, the intricate interactions between biofilms and the host, as well as their contributions to both local (e.g., dental caries and periodontitis) and systemic conditions, remain only partially understood. This mini-review summarizes recent scientific progress on the formation, structural dynamics, and ecological functions of oral biofilms. It also highlights emerging strategies for modulating biofilm composition and activity, the regulatory systems governing these interactions, and potential directions for microbiome-based therapies in future research.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Microbiology
spelling doaj-art-6a281e6d8e2844178d80b3aa19a8d8b12025-08-20T03:28:43ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2025-07-011610.3389/fmicb.2025.16029621602962Formation, architecture, and persistence of oral biofilms: recent scientific discoveries and new strategies for their regulationChengyuan Lv0Ziyi Wang1Ziyi Wang2Ziyi Wang3Zehui Li4Xialing Shi5Mingming Xiao6Yan Xu7Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, ChinaDepartment of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, ChinaDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, ChinaDepartment of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, ChinaDepartment of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, ChinaDepartment of Pathology, The People’s Hospital of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, ChinaDepartment of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, ChinaComplex microbial interactions occur on the surfaces within the oral cavity, where biofilms form highly organized ecosystems composed of diverse microbial communities and their metabolic products. These biofilms, typically located on the tooth surface or within the gingival sulcus, play a crucial role in both oral and systemic health. Recent studies have significantly improved our understanding of the mechanisms of biofilm formation, their structural characteristics, and their persistence over time. However, the intricate interactions between biofilms and the host, as well as their contributions to both local (e.g., dental caries and periodontitis) and systemic conditions, remain only partially understood. This mini-review summarizes recent scientific progress on the formation, structural dynamics, and ecological functions of oral biofilms. It also highlights emerging strategies for modulating biofilm composition and activity, the regulatory systems governing these interactions, and potential directions for microbiome-based therapies in future research.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1602962/fulloral biofilmoral diseasemicrobiomecolonystructurepersistence
spellingShingle Chengyuan Lv
Ziyi Wang
Ziyi Wang
Ziyi Wang
Zehui Li
Xialing Shi
Mingming Xiao
Yan Xu
Formation, architecture, and persistence of oral biofilms: recent scientific discoveries and new strategies for their regulation
Frontiers in Microbiology
oral biofilm
oral disease
microbiome
colony
structure
persistence
title Formation, architecture, and persistence of oral biofilms: recent scientific discoveries and new strategies for their regulation
title_full Formation, architecture, and persistence of oral biofilms: recent scientific discoveries and new strategies for their regulation
title_fullStr Formation, architecture, and persistence of oral biofilms: recent scientific discoveries and new strategies for their regulation
title_full_unstemmed Formation, architecture, and persistence of oral biofilms: recent scientific discoveries and new strategies for their regulation
title_short Formation, architecture, and persistence of oral biofilms: recent scientific discoveries and new strategies for their regulation
title_sort formation architecture and persistence of oral biofilms recent scientific discoveries and new strategies for their regulation
topic oral biofilm
oral disease
microbiome
colony
structure
persistence
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1602962/full
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