Dental plaque

Definition

Dental plaque is a biofilm composed of bacteria and their byproducts that adhere to the surfaces within the mouth. It plays a significant role in oral diseases such as caries and periodontitis.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dental plaque contains complex microbial communities that interact with host tissues.
2. The biofilm formation process involves bacterial adhesion, colonization, and maturation.
3. Streptococcus mutans is one of the primary bacteria involved in dental plaque formation and caries development.
4. Dental plaque can lead to the demineralization of tooth enamel due to acid production from bacterial metabolism.
5. Plaque-associated bacteria can exchange genetic material, such as antibiotic resistance genes, through horizontal gene transfer.

Review Questions

• What are the main stages in the formation of dental plaque?
• Which bacterium is most commonly associated with dental caries within dental plaque?
• How does dental plaque contribute to tooth enamel demineralization?

Related terms

Biofilm:

A structured community of microbial cells enclosed in a self-produced polymeric matrix adherent to an inert or living surface.

Horizontal Gene Transfer:

The movement of genetic material between unicellular and/or multicellular organisms other than by vertical transmission (from parent to offspring).

Caries: Decay and crumbling of a tooth or bone, often caused by bacterial infection.