Dental plaque is an almost invisible film of bacteria that accumulates on our
teeth and gums especially in the spaces between the teeth and along the gum line
if the dental plaque is not removed regularly from the teeth it can cause a
tooth decay and dental cavities or periodontal problems dental plaque is a sticky
soft an almost colorless layer of bacteria that constantly builds up on
the surface of the teeth and gums it can comprised of colonies of bacteria and
other microorganisms mixed with the bacteria by-products saliva dead cells
and food residuals dental plaque bacteria about 400 different species of bacteria
take part in the formation of dental plaque a variety of different bacteria forms
can be found it is estimated that dental plaque contain one thousand ten bacteria
per milligram in the initial phase of dental plaque formation most of them are
harmless bacteria naturally found in the most normal microbial flora if dental
plaque is not removed with a proper oral hygiene the bacterial layer become
thicker in its composition change bacterial strains related with
causing dental diseases start to become dominant and the risk of tooth decay and
gum disease increase the most usual classification of dental plaque is based
on the relationship to gingival margin the line where the crown of the tooth
meets the gums super gingival black is most common type of the dental plaque
covering the visible part of the tooth and the gingival tissues Subgingival
plaque is accumulated under the gums and is the one most usual causing dental
health problems dental plaque formation starts almost immediately after you
brush your teeth Some minutes after brushing teeth saliva delivered
glycoprotein deposits start to cover the tooth surface with what is preferred to
as "pellicle" the formation of the pellicle is the first step in the dental
plaque formation the pellicle is then colonized by the positive
bacteria such as Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus mutans and then
becoming what is known as dental plaque bacterial cells interact with the
pellicle components enabling plaque to firmly adhere to the tooth surface after
one to three days following the initial plaque formation the first bacterial
colonies start to multiply and extend new bacteria species start to
colonize the tooth plaque these new species include also gram-negative
bacteria such as Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia
Capnocytophaga Substances produced by the already accumulated bacteria in
reach the bacterial environment making it favorable for the growth of other
species of bacteria one week after the first plaque accumulation a new
gram-negative species may be found such as Porphyromonas gingivalis Campylobacter
Eikenella corrodens, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and oral spirochetes while
the dental plaque formation Continues gram-negative species become dominant
over a gram positive species the overgrowth of a gram negative anaerobic
bacteria is considered as one of the main causative factors of gingivitis and
periodontitis this fact increases the importance of
regular dental plaque removal with the tooth-brushing before the gram negative
anaerobic bacteria have the time to grow and put your oral
health at risk as the dental black majors when it is not cleaned properly
anaerobic respiration produce acids which is consequently lead to
Demineralization of the tooth enamel which lead to tooth decay and dental cavities
Irritation of gums around the teeth leading to gingivitis, periodontal disease and tooth loss
to the plaque become mineralized and hardens turning into calculus which
enables further accumulation of plaque and may promote gum recession other
mental problems related to dental plaque include bad breath and oral thrush the
removal of dental plaque from teeth and gums is a first and the most important
step for maintaining good oral health the best way to remove plaque from teeth
and to control black build up are: brush a throughly at least twice a day with a
fluoride toothpaste use dental floss at least once a day to remove a plaque from
interproximal spaces and under the gum line where your toothbrush may not reach
use black disclosing tablets to check your teeth after brushing to ensure
proper removal of tooth plaque control your diet reduce the sugar uptake
that helps the growth of plaque bacteria avoid sticky foods that are harder to
clean ask your dentist or dental hygienist to
check if you use the correct plaque removal techniques visit your dentist
every six months for professional cleaning