Our mouth is like a bustling city, hosting a diverse population of microorganisms living in harmony.
But, just like in any community, problems can arise.
In our mouth, these problems can lead to a thing called Oral Mucosal Disease (OMD).
What is OMD?
It’s like a series of conditions that affect the soft tissues, causing issues like infections, patches, ulcers, and even the big concern – oral cancer!
Why OMDs arise?
Now, the reasons behind these problems are like a mixed bag – some genetics, immune system quirks, infections, allergies, nutrient shortages, and even stress.
What drama happens in the background?
Picture credit: The Lancet e-biomedicine
Think of these microorganisms in our mouths as the residents of this city. Sometimes, their community gets a bit out of balance, and that’s when problems start.
Recent studies show that this imbalance messes with our immune system and the protective barriers in our mouth, making it easier for diseases to pop up.
Who’s the tricky neighbour?
Picture credit: Aurora OH
One troublemaker in the oral microbial community is Candida albicans. It’s usually harmless, but when things go awry, it can turn into a bit of a bully.
Candida sp. interacts with other microorganisms in our mouth, and together, they can cause more harm than good.
Specific pathogens, like Candida sp or P. gingivalis, can mess with our immune system’s playbook.
They might trigger changes that could turn normal cells into cancer cells.
It’s like a city under siege, and certain microbes and their by-products are involved in breaking down the barriers, allowing diseases to spread.
How do our bodies deal with this mess?
Our immune system has its superheroes!
When Candida gets out of control, these immune cells, like Th17 and Tregs, step in to save the day. They work together to keep the peace and fight off the bad guys.
Picture credit: DOI: 10.1038/s41385-021-00413-7
When Candida gets a bit aggressive, it can damage the protective layer in our mouth – the oral epithelium.
It’s like a battle where Candida tries to invade, and our body fights back.
Understanding how this works could lead to better ways of dealing with these issues. Studies suggest that changes in the microbial community and their by-products could act as signals, warning us about potential trouble ahead.
Do we have any solutions?
Scientists are working hard to understand this microbial city better. There are a lot of challenges.
One of the common challenges is figuring out whether changes in the microbial community cause diseases or are just a result.
Finding out which specific microbes are causing trouble is a puzzle we’re still solving.
Our mouth is a vibrant city, full of residents – some good, some causing trouble. Understanding this community better can lead to improved ways of keeping our oral city healthy and happy.
Cheers to a well-balanced, harmonious microbial city in our mouth! 🌟🦷
Does this sound interesting?
Post inspiration: DOI: 10.1038/s41385-021-00413-7
