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