At what age is the oral flora established?

• A. 4-6 weeks
• B. 2-3
• C. 6-12 months
• D. 3-4 years

Answer: (B)

The main idea is when the mouth’s bacterial community becomes mature and relatively stable. After birth, initial colonizers start to establish, and as teeth erupt and diet changes, the community diversifies and the ecosystem matures. By about 2–3 years of age, the oral flora typically reaches a stable, adult-like composition, which is why this age range is used as the point at which the oral flora is established. Four to six weeks is too early for a full, stable community to form; at six to twelve months the dentition is still developing and colonization is ongoing but not yet mature; at three to four years the flora is generally well established, but the milestone is usually described as being reached by 2–3 years.