Saeed, Noor

Title:
Roles of the Oral Microbiome and its Effects on Oral Cancer

Abstract:
While oral cancer remains highly prevalent, we investigated, through literature-based research, the roles of the oral microbiome in relation to cancer. Some oral bacteria have been found to induce cancer, while other oral bacteria have been found to help aid the spread of cancer throughout the body. Specifically, Porphyromonas gingivalis can suppress apoptosis and cause inflammation, which are two hallmarks of cancer. Additionally, Fusobacterium nucleatum can spread oral cancer from the oral cavity throughout the bloodstream. F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis are common oral bacteria that can induce and spread oral cancer. Although these two oral bacteria can be harmful, there exist many mutualistic oral bacteria. Ongoing studies are finding that normal toothpastes can harm a healthy oral microbiota, and experts recommend using bacteria-promoting toothpastes.