Plaque Flashcards
Plaque
Dental plaque forms on hard surfaces of the mouth i.e. the teeth
•Consists of microorganisms embedded in a matrix of polymers
•This matrix acts as a food reserve
•Matrix also acts as a place where microorganisms bind to each other and to the surface of the tooth
•Plaque forms naturally on teeth, even with oral hygiene can be found in fissures, gingival crevice etc
3 types of plaque
1.Supra-gingival – associated with the tooth crown. Subdivided into fissure (occlusal surface), aproximal (at the contact points between teeth) and smooth surfaces (e.g. buccal)
2.Sub-gingival – associated with the gingival crevice
3.Denture- related – plaque attached to a full or partial denture
The formation of dental plaque
Surface of a clean tooth quickly coated with a layer of glycoproteins from saliva called acquired pellicle
•First microorganisms, bacteria, to form plaque are called pioneer species
•They attach to this pellicle. Not directly to the enamel
•These include Streptococci, Actinomyces, Neissaria
•Pioneer species start to multiply to form micro-colonies
Dental caries
•An opportunist infection
•One of the most prevalent infectious diseases caused by the bacteria Streptococcus mutans
•Commonly known as tooth decay
Essential requirements for the development of dental caries
Bacterial plaque containing cariogenic bacteria
•Fermentable carbohydrate (sugar)
•Stagnation areas
•Susceptible tooth surfaces
•Time for the process to develop
Dental caries Microbiological factors
Actinomyces species e.g. A.viscosus
➢Associated with the progression of dental caries
•Composition of plaque
•Amount of plaque
Dental caries facts
Thought to be most common human affliction
•Localised destruction, demineralisation and cavitation of tissues of the tooth by bacterial activity
•Only certain bacterial species cause dental caries
Dental carries dietary factors
Fermentable carbohydrates-
•Intrinsic sugars – fruit (fructose), vegetables, dried fruit
•Milk sugars – lactose
•Non-milk extrinsic sugars – sucrose (sugar), glucose (honey)
•Starchy foods – white bread, crisps
•Drop in pH levels – more acidic
Prevention of Dental Caries
Reduce sugar in take
•Use of fluoride- either topically or systemically
•Good oral hygiene
•Reduction in number of cariogenic bacteria
Prevention of Dental Caries
Good oral hygiene-
•Brush teeth at least twice a day
•Change tooth brush regularly
•Use fluoride toothpaste
•Floss
•Regular dental check up
Gingivitis
•An inflammation of the gingivae
•Usually caused by bacteria
•Gums red, halitosis, swollen and bleed easily
•In mildest form little or no discomfort
•Recede, loosen from teeth
•Tooth loss more frequent from gum disease than from tooth decay
Gingivitis cause
Often caused by inadequate oral hygiene
•Inflammation caused by accumulation of plaque and bacteria that release enzymes
Gingivitis treatment
Generally treated with a professional clean and reinstruction about oral hygiene
Gingivitis
Different types –
Chronic marginal gingivitis
•Acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG)
•Acute herpetic gingivitis
•Acute Streptococcal gingivitis
•HIV associated gingivitis
Periodontitis
Untreated gingivitis can progress into periodontitis
•Affects the supporting structures of the teeth
Periodontitis – inflammation of the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone
