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The Role Of Streptococcus Salivarius As A Modulator Of Homeostasis In The Oral Cavity, Kyle W. Macdonald

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The oral cavity contains many different surfaces all colonized by prokaryotes, of which over 700 have been identified. While almost all people have some degree of plaque formation, the more concerning diseases of caries, candidiasis and periodontal disease afflict many patients and represent a major public health concern. As these are all diseases which have a component attributable to parts of the microbiota, efforts to manipulate the microbes has until recently involved use of antimicrobial agents. However, due to side effects, resistance and failure to restore homeostasis, this approach is limited. As an alternative, the administration of beneficial microbes (probiotics) …