Oral Microbiome and Innate Immunity in Health and Disease: Building a Predictive, Preventive and Personalized Therapeutic Approach

An average person carries 1 to 2 kg of microbes in the alimentary track, including the oral cavity. There are more bacteria in a person’s mouth than the total human population in the entire world. Oral health is critical to the general systemic health of an individual. The harmonious co-existence between more than 1000 bacterial species and the host’s immune system underpins sustained, long-term homeostasis, the sine qua non of oral health. In a similar manner, global oral health is essential for general population health of the world. Since our last review of this subject in 2019, while significant clinical advances continue, the disparity, lack of prevention, insufficient care, and political unrest have persisted or significantly deteriorated. This review focuses on the following important questions: