About this Research Topic
Oral biofilms are normal microbial communities that inhabit the oral cavity, in which some bacteria and their neighbouring bacteria achieve dynamic balance through synergistic or antagonistic interaction. It is generally believed that the occurrence of dental caries, periodontal disease and other oral diseases is caused by a change in environmental factors and a shift in the balance of the ecology of dental plaque.
Tobacco smoking has a well-documented effect on human health, especially on the oral cavity. Tobacco, in its many forms, is one of the major risk factors for oral diseases, including dental caries, periodontal disease, and oral cancer. Smoking has also been shown to affect the oral microecological balance, for example, it can influence the competition in biofilm formation between Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis. It is therefore essential to further assess the impact of smoking on oral biofilm communities, that are a key etiological factor, to further elucidate the contribution of smoking to oral diseases. Moreover, given the prevalence of smokers worldwide, many people suffer from the dangers of passive smoking, including significant numbers of children. This further highlights the need to elucidate the impact of passive smoking on oral biofilm communities within the population, to inform future health strategies that reduce environmental smoke exposure and, in turn, reduce the prevalence of oral diseases, including early childhood caries.
Available evidence in the literature has demonstrated that the greater use of tobacco increases the risk of oral disease in the population, and that ceasing tobacco use could result in decreased risk of many oral and systemic diseases. Hence, now more than ever, there is a need to elucidate the impact of smoking on oral biofilm communities and, in turn, on the initiation and progression of oral disease.
We welcome both original research and review articles which address:
- the impact of active smoking or nicotine on oral microbiology, subgingival microflora and oral biofilm communities;
- mechanisms underlying the impact of active smoking or nicotine on oral biofilm communities;
- the association of active smoking with oral diseases;
- the impact of passive smoking on oral biofilm communities in adults and children;
- the association of passive smoking with oral diseases in adults and children;
Tobacco smoking has a well-documented effect on human health, especially on the oral cavity. Tobacco, in its many forms, is one of the major risk factors for oral diseases, including dental caries, periodontal disease, and oral cancer. Smoking has also been shown to affect the oral microecological balance, for example, it can influence the competition in biofilm formation between Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis. It is therefore essential to further assess the impact of smoking on oral biofilm communities, that are a key etiological factor, to further elucidate the contribution of smoking to oral diseases. Moreover, given the prevalence of smokers worldwide, many people suffer from the dangers of passive smoking, including significant numbers of children. This further highlights the need to elucidate the impact of passive smoking on oral biofilm communities within the population, to inform future health strategies that reduce environmental smoke exposure and, in turn, reduce the prevalence of oral diseases, including early childhood caries.
Available evidence in the literature has demonstrated that the greater use of tobacco increases the risk of oral disease in the population, and that ceasing tobacco use could result in decreased risk of many oral and systemic diseases. Hence, now more than ever, there is a need to elucidate the impact of smoking on oral biofilm communities and, in turn, on the initiation and progression of oral disease.
We welcome both original research and review articles which address:
- the impact of active smoking or nicotine on oral microbiology, subgingival microflora and oral biofilm communities;
- mechanisms underlying the impact of active smoking or nicotine on oral biofilm communities;
- the association of active smoking with oral diseases;
- the impact of passive smoking on oral biofilm communities in adults and children;
- the association of passive smoking with oral diseases in adults and children;
Keywords: Oral microbiology, Dental caries, Periodontal disease, Oral cancer, Tobacco smoking
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
