Abstract

A substantial community of viruses and a vast microbial flora inhabit the oral cavity. Although the majority of the oral microbiome is comprised of viruses that infect bacteria or bacteriophages, human-cell-infecting viruses make up a significant portion. Viral communities are also site-specific changes that can cause disease, just like bacteria. Indeed, the increased presence of lytic bacteriophages in periodontal disease subgingival plaque is one of the earliest associations of biofilm virome with human disease. The propensity of particular viruses to affect the oral cavity is wellknown, despite the fact that evidence for oral virome and its contributions to oral health and disease is still emerging. Additionally, because the oropharynx and nasopharynx communicate directly, the highly vascularized oral tissues are more susceptible to respiratory or gastrointestinal viruses. As a result, numerous of these viruses have been linked to persistent oral mucosal lesions. The significance of salivary diagnostics for the detection, transmission, monitoring, and prognosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus is also the subject of discussion in this chapter. Additionally, we discuss the potential for SARS-CoV-2 transmission in dental offices and preventative measures.