Figure 1
From: Dental plaque as a biofilm and a microbial community – implications for health and disease
Schematic representation of the relationship between the microbial composition of dental plaque in health and disease. Potential pathogens (grey) may be present in low numbers in plaque, or transmitted in low numbers to plaque; both situations may be compatible with health. A major ecological pressure will be necessary for such pathogens to outcompete other members of the resident microflora (white) and achieve the levels (numerical dominance) needed for disease to occur. Possible ecological pressures for caries include a sugar-rich diet, conditions of low pH, or low saliva flow. Disease could be prevented not only by targeting the pathogen directly (e.g. with antimicrobial or anti-adhesion agents) but also indirectly by interfering with the ecological pressure responsible for the selection of the pathogen.