The Future of Oral Microbiome Modulation
Our understanding of oral health has shifted from viewing bacteria as a problem to be eliminated toward recognizing the oral microbiome as a complex ecosystem that requires balance. Concepts such as eubiosis, dysbiosis, and microbial resilience are reshaping how clinicians think about prevention, disease progression, and long-term oral health management.
In this episode of Let's Talk Oral Health, we are joined by Wim Teughels, Professor of Periodontology at KU Leuven, for an in-depth discussion on the oral microbiome.
Drawing on decades of research, Prof. Teughels explores how microbial balance is maintained, what disrupts it, and how emerging approaches may help support a resilient oral ecosystem.
What you’ll learn in this episode
- Why the oral microbiome represents a paradigm shift away from plaque quantity toward ecosystem balance.
- The difference between eubiosis and dysbiosis, and what each means for oral and systemic health.
- What microbiome resilience is, why it matters, and how it can support health or reinforce disease.
- Which biological, mechanical, and chemical factors influence the stability of the oral microbiome.
- How emerging strategies such as prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, and synbiotics are being studied for oral health applications.
KU Leuven Who's Who - Wim Teughels – This page provides an official overview of Prof. Teughels’ academic affiliation at KU Leuven, including his faculty appointment, departmental roles, leadership positions, and organizational memberships.
Meet Prof. Wim Teughels
Professor of Periodontology at KU Leuven, Prof. Wim Teughels is an internationally recognized researcher specializing in the oral microbiome, periodontal disease, and microbiome modulation strategies. His work has contributed to the shift toward ecosystem-based thinking in oral health, with a focus on translating microbiological insights into clinical relevance.
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About the Hosts
SUNSTAR’s Dr. Rachel Chau, Senior Manager Scientific & Clinical Affairs and Dr. Martijn Verhulst, Medical Liaison Manager co-host Let's Talk Oral Health, guiding conversations that bridge research, clinical experience, and everyday prevention.
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