Managing Oral Health in the Context of Antimicrobial Resistance

Lucinda J. Bessa (), João Botelho, Vanessa Machado, Ricardo Alves and José João Mendes
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Lucinda J. Bessa: Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Egas Moniz—Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, Caparica, 2829-511 Almada, Portugal
João Botelho: Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Egas Moniz—Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, Caparica, 2829-511 Almada, Portugal
Vanessa Machado: Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Egas Moniz—Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, Caparica, 2829-511 Almada, Portugal
Ricardo Alves: Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Egas Moniz—Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, Caparica, 2829-511 Almada, Portugal
José João Mendes: Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Egas Moniz—Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, Caparica, 2829-511 Almada, Portugal

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 24, 1-17

Abstract: The oral microbiome plays a major role in shaping oral health/disease state; thus, a main challenge for dental practitioners is to preserve or restore a balanced oral microbiome. Nonetheless, when pathogenic microorganisms install in the oral cavity and are incorporated into the oral biofilm, oral infections, such as gingivitis, dental caries, periodontitis, and peri-implantitis, can arise. Several prophylactic and treatment approaches are available nowadays, but most of them have been antibiotic-based. Given the actual context of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), antibiotic stewardship in dentistry would be a beneficial approach to optimize and avoid inappropriate or even unnecessary antibiotic use, representing a step towards precision medicine. Furthermore, the development of new effective treatment options to replace the need for antibiotics is being pursued, including the application of photodynamic therapy and the use of probiotics. In this review, we highlight the advances undergoing towards a better understanding of the oral microbiome and oral resistome. We also provide an updated overview of how dentists are adapting to better manage the treatment of oral infections given the problem of AMR.

Keywords: antibiotic resistance; antibiotic stewardship; dental practice; oral infections; oral microbiome; oral resistome (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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