Biofilms are microbial communities embedded within an extracellular matrix, forming a highly organized structure that causes many human infections. Dental caries (tooth decay) is a polymicrobial biofilm disease driven by the diet and microbiota–matrix interactions that occur on a solid surface. Sugars fuel the emergence of pathogens, the assembly of the matrix, and the acidification of the biofilm microenvironment, promoting ecological changes and concerted multispecies efforts that are conducive to acid damage of the mineralized tooth tissue. Here, we discuss recent advances in the role of the biofilm matrix and interactions between opportunistic pathogens and commensals in the pathogenesis of dental caries. In addition, we highlight the importance of matrix-producing organisms in fostering a pathogenic habitat where interspecies competition and synergies occur to drive the disease process, which could have implications to other infections associated with polymicrobial biofilms.

生物膜是嵌入细胞外基质中的微生物群落，形成高度组织化的结构，导致许多人类感染。龋齿（蛀牙）是一种多微生物生物膜疾病，受饮食和固体表面上发生的微生物与微生物-基质相互作用的驱动。糖助长了病原体的出现，基质的组装以及生物膜微环境的酸化，促进了生态变化和多种物种的共同努力，有利于矿化牙齿组织的酸损伤。在这里，我们讨论了生物膜基质的作用以及机会性病原体与龋齿之间的相互作用的最新进展。此外，