Immune defense and repair mechanisms in caries and periodontitis

Abstract

Introduction: Caries and periodontitis are among the most common oral diseases. They have a multifactorial etiology where the bacterial composition of the dental plaque plays a key role. The different elements of the oral cavity such as saliva,microbiota,and tissue integrity play a role in maintaining a healthy environment to avoid the onset of disease. As soon as a threat is detected,oral immunity intervenes with the objective of returning to a healthy state; Objectives: To understand how the oral cavity acts to prevent and protect teeth and tissues from bacterial aggression and how it can be beneficial or detrimental for the host; Methodology: A systematic review was conducted based on the study of scientific articles from the last 15 years and found in different databases. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were established; Results: 29940 articles were found regarding the keywords used to perform the research. After removing duplicates,applying exclusion and inclusion criteria,and studying abstracts,14 full-text articles were analyzed and organized in table form; Conclusion: The oral cavity is a complex medium that presents a multitude of defense mechanisms,including saliva function and flow,presence of symbiotic microbiota into the oral cavity,tissue integrity,and immunity. These mechanisms work in a symbiotic and balanced way to maintain a healthy environment and prevent the onset of caries or periodontitis. Each mechanism has independent and interconnected roles. The key to success in protecting the host is balance. The imbalance of one of these mechanisms,particularly immunological reactions,can lead to the progression or aggravation of a disease