Quorum sensing vs quorum quenching: a communicating mechanism in periodontal pathogens and its inhibition - a review

The human oral cavity is similar to an ecosystem and interactions among oral bacteria is important for the development of oral biofilm. For survival in the bio film, these microorganisms may express intra and/or inter species communication mechanisms by means of physical contact, signaling molecules, exchange of genetic material or metabolic products etc. This article deals with the process of quorum sensing which enables the bacteria for coordination of their behavior at a population level by the synthesis, release and subsequent detection of small diffusible molecules known as auto inducers and various approaches to inhibit this communication to control the diseases caused by bacteria. New approaches to treat periodontal disease using quorum sensing inhibition need to be explored as a future treatment strategy.