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Dental plaque

 
Dental Plaque

 
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Dental plaque
 
 
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Dental plaque is biofilm
Biofilm

A biofilm is a structured community of microorganisms encapsulated within a self-developed polymeric matrix and adherent to a living or inert surface....
 (usually colorless) that builds up on the teeth. If not removed regularly, it can lead to dental cavities (caries
Caries

Caries is a progressive destruction of any kind of bone structure, including the skull, ribs and other bones, or the tooth. Caries can be caused by osteomyelitis, which is a bacterial disease....
) or periodontal problems (such as gingivitis
Gingivitis

Gingivitis around the teeth is a general term for gingival diseases affecting the gingiva . As generally used, the term gingivitis refers to gingival inflammation induced by bacterial biofilms adherent to tooth surfaces....
).

The microorganism
Microorganism

A microorganism or microbe is an organism that is microscopic . The study of microorganisms is called microbiology, a subject that began with Anton van Leeuwenhoek's discovery of microorganisms in 1675, using a microscope of his own design....
s that form the biofilm are almost entirely bacteria
Bacteria

The Bacteria are a large group of unicellular microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals....
 (mainly Streptococcus mutans
Streptococcus mutans

Streptococcus mutans is a Gram-positive, Facultative anaerobic organism bacteria commonly found in the human oral cavity and is a significant contributor to dental caries....
 and anaerobe
Anaerobic organism

An anaerobic organism is any organism that does not require oxygen for growth and may even die in its presence....
s), with the composition varying by location in the mouth.






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Mandibulartori02 04 06
Dental plaque is biofilm
Biofilm

A biofilm is a structured community of microorganisms encapsulated within a self-developed polymeric matrix and adherent to a living or inert surface....
 (usually colorless) that builds up on the teeth. If not removed regularly, it can lead to dental cavities (caries
Caries

Caries is a progressive destruction of any kind of bone structure, including the skull, ribs and other bones, or the tooth. Caries can be caused by osteomyelitis, which is a bacterial disease....
) or periodontal problems (such as gingivitis
Gingivitis

Gingivitis around the teeth is a general term for gingival diseases affecting the gingiva . As generally used, the term gingivitis refers to gingival inflammation induced by bacterial biofilms adherent to tooth surfaces....
).

The microorganism
Microorganism

A microorganism or microbe is an organism that is microscopic . The study of microorganisms is called microbiology, a subject that began with Anton van Leeuwenhoek's discovery of microorganisms in 1675, using a microscope of his own design....
s that form the biofilm are almost entirely bacteria
Bacteria

The Bacteria are a large group of unicellular microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals....
 (mainly Streptococcus mutans
Streptococcus mutans

Streptococcus mutans is a Gram-positive, Facultative anaerobic organism bacteria commonly found in the human oral cavity and is a significant contributor to dental caries....
 and anaerobe
Anaerobic organism

An anaerobic organism is any organism that does not require oxygen for growth and may even die in its presence....
s), with the composition varying by location in the mouth. Examples of such anaerobes include fusobacterium
Fusobacterium

Fusobacterium is a genus of filamentous, Anaerobic organism, Gram-negative bacteria, similar to Bacteroides.Fusobacterium contribute to several human diseases, including periodontal diseases, Lemierre's syndrome, and topical skin ulcers....
 and Actinobacteria
Actinobacteria

Actinobacteria or actinomycetes are a group of Gram-positive bacterium with high G+C ratio. ...
.

The microorganisms present in dental plaque are all naturally present in the oral cavity, and are normally harmless. However, failure to remove plaque by regular tooth brushing
Tooth brushing

Tooth brushing is the act of cleaning teeth with a toothbrush.Modern medical research has shown that brushing teeth properly can prevent Dental cavity, gingivitis, and periodontal, or periodontitis, which causes at least one-third of adult tooth loss....
 means that they are allowed to build up in a thick layer. Those microorganisms nearest the tooth surface convert to anaerobic respiration
Anaerobic respiration

Anaerobic respiration is the process of generating energy through cellular respiration , without the use of oxygen....
; it is in this state that they start to produce acids.
  • Acids released from dental plaque lead to demineralization of the adjacent tooth surface, and consequently to dental caries. Saliva
    Saliva

    Saliva is the watery and usually frothy substance produced in the mouths of humans and most other animals. Saliva is produced in and secreted from the salivary glands....
     is also unable to penetrate the build-up of plaque and thus cannot act to neutralize the acid produced by the bacteria and remineralize the tooth surface.
  • They also cause irritation of the gums around the teeth that could lead to gingivitis
    Gingivitis

    Gingivitis around the teeth is a general term for gingival diseases affecting the gingiva . As generally used, the term gingivitis refers to gingival inflammation induced by bacterial biofilms adherent to tooth surfaces....
    , periodontal disease
    Periodontal disease

    Periodontitis refers to a number of inflammatory diseases affecting the periodontium ? that is, the tissues that surround and support the tooth....
     and tooth loss.
  • Plaque build up can also become mineralized and form calculus
    Calculus (dental)

    In dentistry, calculus is a form of hardened plaque and is synonymous with tartar. It is caused by the continual accumulation of minerals from saliva on plaque on the teeth....
     (tartar).

Prevention and treatment


Frequency of brushing and flossing with good technique is important, because the nature (i.e., composition) of the microorganisms change as the plaque ages. Therefore, plaque which is 12 hours old for example is much less damaging than plaque which has not been removed in days.

Oral hygiene practices have evolved largely during the time they have been most needed, i.e., the 20th and 21st centuries. The sudden increase in tooth decay is almost certainly attributable to changes in diet, such as the introduction of refined sugar and, later, candy
Candy

Candy, specifically sugar candy, is a confection made from a concentrated solution of sugar in water, to which flavorings and colorants are added....
.

Mouthwash
Mouthwash

Mouthwash or mouth rinse is a product used for oral hygiene. Antiseptic and anti-plaque mouth rinse claims to kill the plaque causing Dental caries, gingivitis, and bad breath....
 (also mouth rinse) is used for oral hygiene
Oral hygiene

Teeth cleaning is the removal of dental plaque from teeth, in order to prevent Dental caries , gingivitis, and Periodontal disease. It is part of a complete program of oral hygiene....
. Antiseptic
Antiseptic

Antiseptics are antimicrobials that are applied to living biological tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction....
 and anti-plaque mouth rinse claims to kill the bacteria that cause plaque, gingivitis
Gingivitis

Gingivitis around the teeth is a general term for gingival diseases affecting the gingiva . As generally used, the term gingivitis refers to gingival inflammation induced by bacterial biofilms adherent to tooth surfaces....
, and halitosis
Halitosis

Halitosis, oral malodor, breath odor, mouth odor, foul breath, fetor oris, fetor ex ore, or most commonly bad breath are terms used to describe noticeably unpleasant odors exhaled in breathing ? whether the smell is from an oral source or not....
. Anti-cavity mouthwash contains fluoride
Fluoride

Fluoride is the Redox form of fluorine. Both organic compounds and inorganic compounds containing the chemical element fluorine are considered fluorides....
, protecting against tooth decay.

See also

  • Flossing
  • Gingiva
    Gingiva

    The gingiva , or gums, consists of the mucosal tissue that lies over the alveolar bone....
  • Dental disease
    Dental disease

    A dental disease is a disease which affects the teeth or gingivas. Some of the most prevalent types of dental disease include dental caries , and gum disease....
  • Oral hygiene
    Oral hygiene

    Teeth cleaning is the removal of dental plaque from teeth, in order to prevent Dental caries , gingivitis, and Periodontal disease. It is part of a complete program of oral hygiene....
  • Oral microbiology
    Oral microbiology

    Oral microbiology is the study of the microorganisms of the oral cavity and the interactions between the oral microorganisms with each other and with the host....


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