Oral flora and pathogenic organisms

Oral microbial flora consist of numerous bacterial taxa, ranging from aerob es through fastidious anaerobes, and fungi, viruses, and protozoa. Many of these bacteria are unique to the oral cavity. The organisms exist in a comp lex interrelationship that is regulated and maintained by physical and meta bolic microbial interactions, and by environmental factors, such as saliva and diet. Many of these organisms are relatively harmless, although others are significant pathogens, producing local and systemic diseases in healthy and compromised individuals.