2016 Volume 27 Issue 1 Pages 3-9
Numerous and diverse microbes colonize the human oral cavity as commensals. They regulate by synergistic or antagonistic interactions with other indigenous bacteria and the host and constitute complex microbial community, namely indigenous microbiota. Recent advances in cultivation-independent molecular approach allowed comprehensive survey of complex microbial community and the community structure of oral microbiota associated with various health conditions has been revealed.
In this review, we outline characteristics of indigenous microbiota formed on various oral surfaces and introduce the relationship between oral microbiota and our health, mainly based on the results of our previous studies.