Microbiota and Beyond: Probiotic, Prebiotics, and Postbiotics in Periodontal Disease Treatment

Periodontal disease, a common outcome of poor oral health, is closely linked to microbial dysbiosis in the oral cavity. The oral microbiota, second in complexity only to the gut, plays a central role in plaque formation and inflammation, contributing to both local and systemic diseases. Conventional treatments often disrupt the microbiota without addressing underlying causes, prompting interest in biologic strategies. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the oral microbiota's role in periodontal disease and its systemic connections. We focus on recent advances in probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics, evaluating their protective effects and mechanisms of action through evidence from preclinical and clinical studies. The review also discusses current limitations and outlines future directions for translating these findings into effective therapies. Our synthesis offers novel insights into microbiota-targeted strategies for the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease.