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Unculturable oral bacteria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 July 2010

William G. Wade
Affiliation:
King's College London Dental Institute at Guy's, King's College and St Thomas' Hospitals, Infection Research Group, London SE1 9RT, UK
N. A. Logan
Affiliation:
Glasgow Caledonian University
H. M. Lappin-Scott
Affiliation:
University of Exeter
P. C. F Oyston
Affiliation:
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down
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Summary

INTRODUCTION

The human mouth is heavily colonized with bacteria. There are around 100 million bacteria in every millilitre of saliva, and it is estimated that around 800 bacterial species are present as part of the commensal microflora. Unlike the normal microflora at other body sites that live in harmony with the host, the oral microflora, at this stage of man's evolution, has to be controlled. If plaque accumulations are not removed by brushing or by other mechanical or chemical means, the gums become inflamed, a condition known as gingivitis. Around some teeth in some individuals, a more serious condition arises, known as periodontitis, which is an inflammatory condition leading to loss of attachment between the gums and teeth and destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth, which can eventually lead to their loss. Individuals with high sucrose intake in their diets are also at risk of dental caries where certain species, notably Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli, ferment the sucrose to produce acids which demineralize the enamel layer. If left untreated, the bacteria invade first the dentine and then the pulp, rendering it non-vital, which in turn can lead to the formation of an abscess around the apex of the tooth. Such abscesses can spread via the tissue planes or the bloodstream to cause serious infections elsewhere in the body, such as abscesses of the liver or brain, which can be fatal.

Type
Chapter
Information
Prokaryotic Diversity
Mechanisms and Significance
, pp. 163 - 174
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2006

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  • Unculturable oral bacteria
    • By William G. Wade, King's College London Dental Institute at Guy's, King's College and St Thomas' Hospitals, Infection Research Group, London SE1 9RT, UK
  • Edited by N. A. Logan, Glasgow Caledonian University, H. M. Lappin-Scott, University of Exeter, P. C. F Oyston, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down
  • Book: Prokaryotic Diversity
  • Online publication: 06 July 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511754913.011
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  • Unculturable oral bacteria
    • By William G. Wade, King's College London Dental Institute at Guy's, King's College and St Thomas' Hospitals, Infection Research Group, London SE1 9RT, UK
  • Edited by N. A. Logan, Glasgow Caledonian University, H. M. Lappin-Scott, University of Exeter, P. C. F Oyston, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down
  • Book: Prokaryotic Diversity
  • Online publication: 06 July 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511754913.011
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Unculturable oral bacteria
    • By William G. Wade, King's College London Dental Institute at Guy's, King's College and St Thomas' Hospitals, Infection Research Group, London SE1 9RT, UK
  • Edited by N. A. Logan, Glasgow Caledonian University, H. M. Lappin-Scott, University of Exeter, P. C. F Oyston, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down
  • Book: Prokaryotic Diversity
  • Online publication: 06 July 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511754913.011
Available formats
×