Introduction
Plaque is a soft biofilm that forms on the surface of the teeth after eating and can be removed with a toothbrush. Plaque is a substance that is composed of different components. It contains various proteins, carbohydrates and phosphate compounds.
In addition, when analyzing the plaque, a variety of microorganisms can be detected. Plaque, which remains on the tooth surface for a long period of time and is not removed or only insufficiently removed, can lead to various diseases: On the one hand, the deposits can lead to inflammatory processes in the area of the gums (gingivitis/gum) after sinking below the gumline. On the other hand, plaque that adheres to the tooth surface or in the interdental spaces can promote the development of carious defects.
How does plaque develop?
The development of plaque takes place in several steps. First, a precipitate consisting of saliva protein and the smallest cell remains of the oral mucosa forms on the tooth surface. In dental terminology, this protein substance is called pellicle.
The process of forming this plaque component takes about one hour. At this point, the thin film that adheres to the surface of the tooth can be removed simply by rinsing it with clear water. Over time, bacteria begin to colonize the protein layer.
The most important bacterium for the formation of plaque, Streptococcus mutans, does not belong to the normal oral flora and is responsible for the formation of a substance called dextran. Dextran is a sugar derivative that serves as a bacterial reserve. Based on these bacteria, other pathogens can settle, multiply and secrete dangerous metabolic waste products over time.
With the help of these metabolic products, the bacteria and other microorganisms can supply each other with everything they need to survive. There is a kind of infrastructure between the microorganisms – they can communicate with each other and are partially dependent on each other. At this point, plaque can no longer be removed by simply rinsing, and a toothbrush must be used to remove the plaque.
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