What is Dental plaque?

What is Dental plaque?

Plaque is sticky film, colourless or pale yellow that forms on teeth.

It is bacterial aggregation on teeth and other solid structure of mouth.

causes of dental plaque :-

Plaque develop when food containing carbohydrate (sugar) are left on the surface of tooth and other solid oral structure. 

Bacteria combine with these sugars and produce acids. These acids can cause problems like cavities and other form of tooth decay.

How can the formation of plaque be prevented?

• clean your teeth everyday

• Brush your teeth twice a day

• floss your teeth regularly

• brush after eating sugary food

Symptoms of Dental plaque :-

• Biofilm on teeth

• Receding gums

• Bad breath

• Pain

• Bleeding gums

How to remove dental plaque?

• Brush regularly with fluoride toothpaste

How is plaque diagnosed?

Visit your Dentist

Components of plaque :- 

• 80-90% of plaque -- water

• 10% dry weight

  (1) 70% Bacteria

  (2) 30% polysaccharide, Glycoprotein

• The bulk of microorganisms that form biofilms are Streptococcus mutants and other anaerobes.

• Failure to remove plaque by tooth brush allow these microorganisms to build up in thick layer.