Polymethyl methacrylate microplastics affect oral microbiota diversity and Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation

Introduction: have been widely identified as the primary etiological agents responsible for caries pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PMMA-MPs on oral microbiota closely associated with dental caries. Methods: experiments. Results: . Transcriptomic analysis revealed that PMMA-MPs may promote biofilm formation through pathways including ABC transporters, quorum sensing, and purine metabolism. Additionally, PMMA-MPs exposure enhanced bacterial antibiotic tolerance. Discussion: biofilms.