Beyond antimicrobials: Ecological nano‐strategies for rebalancing dysbiotic oral microbial homeostasis

Oral microbial homeostasis is a stable equilibrium state of the ecological community of oral microorganisms formed through the dynamic interactions between the oral microorganisms and the host's oral ecosystem. Its disruption can lead to opportunistic pathogenic infections or refractory infectious diseases in the oral cavity. Compared to traditional antibiotic treatments, the development of materials capable of rebalancing oral microbial homeostasis is advantageous in reducing the induction of drug‐resistant bacteria and preserving the normal oral microbiota, making it a current research focus. Nanomaterials exhibit significant potential in rebalancing oral microbial homeostasis owing to their antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and other functions. Previous reviews have predominantly focused on the mechanisms of nanomaterials against single microbial species, overlooking their differential effects on ecological communities and ecosystems. This review adopts an ecological perspective, systematically summarizing the strategies of nanomaterials in rebalancing oral microbial homeostasis through three dimensions: population and community, ecosystem, and cross‐ecosystem, while analyzing the influencing factors involved. Finally, the limitations and future prospects of current research are discussed. This review aims to provide theoretical support for the prevention and treatment of oral infectious diseases and to offer novel design insights for the development of advanced therapeutic materials.