Dental plaque is a bacterial collection with their products on the teeth or other solid oral structures, covered by a jelly-like tenacious material and it is responsible for two major dental diseases; caries and periodontal disease (Chandra, 2000). Good oral hygiene is a foundation step in the development of disease-free oral cavity of infants through adolescents (Srivastava, 2011). Plaque control is of prime importance for the prevention of these diseases and for good dental health as it helps to reduce the number of microorganisms present in the oral cavity, hence, reducing the dental plaque (Muthu and Sivakumar, 2009; Tare, 2007).
Dental plaque is the combination of bacteria embedded in a matrix of salivary proteins and bacterial products superimposed on the acquired pellicle (Berkovitz, et al., 2011). It is an example of a biofilm, a term used to describe relatively undefinable microbial community associated with a tooth surface or any other hard, non-shedding material (Reddy, 2008). Plaque can also be described as a soft, adherent, predominantly microbial mass, which accumulates on the tooth surface in the absence of oral hygiene measures (Berkovitz, et al., 2011). Dental plaque cannot be easily washed away by vigorous rinsing or water sprays and it also resists disruption by antimicrobial agents. Therefore, dental plaque is removed by individual mechanical intervention, for example, toothbrushing (Bathla, 2011).
2.1.2 Classification of Dental Plaque
Dental plaque is broadly classified as supragingival or subgingival based on its position on the tooth surface toward the gingival margin. Supragingival plaque is found at or above the gingival margin. Therefore, it can be further differentiated into coronal plaque, whi...
... middle of paper ...
...reasingly diverse microflora. Bridging refers to the observation that two non-coaggregating strains may participate together in a multi generic aggregate if they recognize a common partner by distinct mechanism. Fusobacterium nucleatum is believed to be important in bridging between primary and secondary colonizers during plaque maturation. Examples of interaction of secondary colonizers with early colonizers are Fusobacterium nucleatum with Streptococcus sanguis; Provotella loescheii with Actinomyces viscosus. The examples of interaction among secondary colonizers are F. nucleatum with P. gingivalis; F. nucleatum with Treponema denticola.
2) Multiplication:
Multiplication of attached organisms leads to confluent growth and biofilm formation. Adherent bacteria synthesise extracellular polymers.
3) Detachment:
Detachment of bacteria allows colonisation at new sites.
Biofilms are made up of a sessile, heterogeneous consortium of microbial cells that are irreversibly attached to a substratum or interface or to each other.(16) These microflora become embedded in a self-secreted complex exopolysaccharides (16,17)containing dead microorganisms, and inorganic materials derived from the supply water.
Ok let’s talk about flossing. Flossing also helps to remove the plaque that forms on your teeth, it removes the plaque from the areas where the toothbrush cannot reach, and this areas are along the gum line and between your teeth. And as I already said, if we do not remove this plaque, guess what, we will end up with decay and infected gums.
However, on the a recent visit dated 23/12/13 the patient’s gingival condition had deteriorated, presenting with an increased plaque scores of 34% and bleeding scores to 63%. Intra oral examination also showed generalised oedema and erythema throughout in the mouth in response to this increase in plaque bacteria. The presence of supra-gingival calculus on lower anterior teeth and both sites of upper buccal molars and the patients BPE now reads 212 /121, putting the patients caries risk at a ‘High’ status.
Plaque, and especially tarter, can be difficult to remove and can steadily damage the teeth and tissue in the mouth. Personally, I realized that plaque occurs rather quickly on teeth after having braces and having to clean them extensively to prevent plaque. However, even though the main cause is dental plaque, there are some risk factors that increase the risk of developing gingivitis and periodontal disease. These risk factors encompass regular smoking, genetics, hormone changes in females, diabetes, cancer, AIDS, and even some medications.
Nano-technology is a revolution in almost all disciplines of life today. Nanotechnology approaches the manipulation of matter at atomic and molecular level. This technology, which deals with matter in nano-dimensions, has widened our views of poorly understood health issues and provided novel means of diagnosis and treatment. Dentistry, not being an exception, also faces major revolutions to constantly provide better and more comfortable dental care to patients. Researchers in the field of dentistry have explored the potential of nano-particles in existing therapeutic modalities with moderate success. The important application in the field of dentistry
Dental professionals should promote a message that a strong biologic connection exists between oral and systemic health. Therefore, having a good understanding of oral health and systemic health is beneficial and can help you protect yourself. Streptococcus mutants, the bacteria found in periodontal infection are also the bacteria found in many of the cardiovascular diseases. This establishes a strong relationship between these two conditions.
Jones, D. J., Munro, C. L., & Grap, M. J. (2011). Natural history of dental plaque accumulation
Over time as individuals age and are faced with access to care issues they may begin to neglect their oral health. As time passes between dental hygiene cleanings or dentist visits the presence of oral disease may begin to increase.
The bacteria that live in biofilms are difficult to treat for many reasons. Oral biofilms are varied and complex and each has its own individual micro-ecology. This micro-ecology changes as it matures and during the maturation process the density of microbes increases. The mature biofilm becomes more difficult to treat because the maturation process provides protection against
Biofilms are formed by a six step process. First is a reversible process, when an organic monolayer(made of polysaccharides or glycoproteins) absorbs to the surface, altering the chemical and physical properties of the surface. This makes the surface more conditioned and increase the chance that planktonic bacteria will attach. Secondly, also a reversible step, is when the free-floating or planktonic bacteria encounter the conditioned surface, and some attachment of the bacteria may occur. The third step is when the bacteria is left attached too long, then an irreversible attachment occurs. F...
The prevention of periodontitis is straightforward for patients. The first step in prevention is to assure that the patient is brushing twice a day utilising the proper brushing technique. Patients who fear the contraction of periodontitis are not encouraged to brush too much however, as excessive brushing with poor technique can lead to other oral problems such as the reduction of the gums (gingival recession). Brushing at least twice a day help inhibit the growth of unwanted bacteria and prevents plaque, and thus tartar from forming. Patients who wish to prevent periodontitis should also floss daily. Flossing daily includes the spaces between each tooth, as well as behind the last two molars on the mandibular and maxillary arches. Flossing should get in below the gum line to prevent bacteria from congregating just below the surface. The last at home, over-the-counter treatment available for the prevention of periodontitis is the use of an antiseptic mouthwash. While proper use of mouthwash in conjunction with the other techniques can help cure gingivitis, once periodontal disease has elapsed stage 1 of periodontal disease, no amount of mouthwash or brushing can restore attachment lost in the periodontium.
Biofilms are formed when bacteria recognize attachment sites, respond to nutritional cues, and face environmental stresses (Habash, 1999). Biofilm formation occurs in a step-wise fashion as seen in Figure 1. The first step consists of planktonic microorganisms reversibly attaching on to a conditioned surface through adsorption (Figure 1(a)). The organism reaches close proximity to this surface either by random flagellar propulsion or is directed to the surface by chemotax...
Biofilms are defined as complex aggregates of microorganisms which are interlinked and secrete extracellular slime, which forms the matrix for the films. The extracellular slime is chiefly made up of polysaccharides. Biofilms are usually irreversibly attached to a surface, in that once a biofilm is attached to a surface, it is quite difficult to remove. Mineral salt crystals, clay and silt particles etc. are also sometimes present within the biofilm matrix (depending upon the surroundings). The majority of biofilms found in the environment are either phytoplanktonic or bacterial (Donlan, Sept 2002).
Oral health is important to everyone. People may need to face their own oral problems. Some important findings has been explored. According to the 2001 Oral health Survey established by Department of Health(2001) in Hong Kong and Annual Report 2010 of Bureau of Health Promotion in Taiwan(2010), 9 persons in ten have different level of periodontal disease. This indicates that people may not maintain a good oral health and do not have enough knowledge to having good oral health. Serious periodontal disease may affect the normal life of people. They may difficult to chew and loss of tooth affects the appearance of the people.
Biofilms are complex communities of microorganism that can adhere to living or non-living surfaces. In the environment, biofilms divide by attaching and growing on surfaces. They are found in soil, aquatic system, medical devices, living tissues such as tooth, heart valves, ears and lungs. Biofilm formation is a process where the planktonic bacteria comes in contact with a surface, and producing the extracellular polymeric matrix to protect themselves against immune cells and antimicrobials (Chauchan et al., 2009). There is a difference between a planktonic bacteria, and a bacterial biofilm. The planktonic bacteria, moves around freely, and it is single celled organism; is responsible for acute bacterial infections. It can not change genetic activity. The bacterial biofilms are multi-cellular organisms, it can initiate a change in genetic activity. Biofilms are very important, because they can create energy loses, equipment damage, contamination,