Additionally, the other serious problems that can occur are the periodontal diseases. This tooth pain is one of the detrimental effects of leaving dental plaque in contact with the teeth for too long. The acid-producing bacteria that causes plaque and calculus have the ability to destroy the hard, protective coatings of your teeth leading to cavities and with it can come pain and sensitivity. It commonly traps stains and leads to discolouration of the teeth.” How bad is plaque and calculus? “Calculus is tough and cannot be removed by tooth brushing or with interdental cleaning aids such as flossing but only through professional teeth cleaning. Depending on the ‘makeup’ of you saliva, in some people, it may develop more rapidly than others. It is formed by the calcification of plaque left on the surfaces of teeth in conjunction with minerals in your saliva such as calcium. This is located in environments which suit the growth of anaerobic bacteria (those that thrive when there is no oxygen).Ĭalculus, also referred to as tartar, can form in as little as 24 hours if the dental plaque is allowed to build up. Plaque continues to migrate under the gum line into ‘pockets’ around the tooth, to become subgingival plaque. This is referred to as supragingival plaque and is made up of mostly aerobic bacteria, ie. These acid-loving and decay/gum disease-causing bacterial populations are maintained by frequent consumption of fermentable dietary carbohydrates, such as sugars and starches.ĭental plaque initially forms above the gum line within hours of tooth-brushing and is most commonly seen between the teeth, in the pits and grooves of the teeth. During fermentation they begin to produce acids as a by-product and it is these acids that are capable of causing localised destruction to the tissues of the body: either in the form of destroying the hard surface coatings of the tooth (enamel and dentine) resulting in dental caries/decay or by eliciting a host-mediated inflammatory response in the gums ( gingivitis, leading to periodontitis if not treated). The bacteria nearest the tooth surface typically obtain energy by fermenting dietary sugars (especially sucrose). In addition, our saliva will act to buffer the PH (acidity) of the oral cavity to levels that these bacteria thrive at. Our own saliva no less contains primary nutrients such as amino-acids, proteins and glycoproteins (these again!) which feed the bacteria in the early stages of plaque formation. These bacteria all occur naturally in the oral cavity and are normally harmless.ĭental plaque forms because the warm and moist environment of the mouth and the presence of teeth make for a good environment for its growth and development. Although over 100 different bacterial species can make up the plaque biofilm, the bulk are Streptococcus mutans and other anaerobic species. These initial bacteria begin to spread throughout the mouth, multiplying and maturing, eventually forming micro-colonies otherwise known as the plaque biofilm. This essentially acts as an adhesive that, within hours of forming, bacteria can bind to. ![]() Those ‘clean’ tooth surfaces are immediately bathed in saliva and colonised by what we refer to as salivary pellicles, the composition of which is predominantly glycoproteins. Let’s assume you’ve just brushed and flossed your teeth and gums meticulously. It is actually a ‘biofilm’ that attaches to the tooth surface, dental restorations and prosthetic appliances ( dentures, crowns and bridges). So what’s all the fuss about this Dental Plaque thing? Time for a bit of science…ĭental plaque starts out as a sticky, colourless deposit. So an otherwise innocent ten-second kiss can potentially spread up to 80 million bacteria between mouths!Įating foods high in sugar like cakes, sweets, soft drinks and even fruit can lead to an increase in certain bacteria such as streptococcus mutans, which start to overpopulate the mouth and shift the normal harmonious, healthy environment into one which can predispose to dental decay and gum disease. ![]() These bacteria normally live in harmony with each other (symbiosis) limiting the build-up of certain bacteria that can be harmful to us and in particular our teeth and gums.įUN FACT: Many of these bacteria can cause tooth decay and are spreadable just like an infectious disease. In our mouths alone, it is documented there are in excess of 8 billion bacteria and over 300 different species. In fact, what you are seeing is a dental plaque, the sworn enemy of your teeth and gums, brought on by bacterial buildup. Have you ever had that fuzzy feeling on the surface of your teeth? Or looked at your floss after you’ve used it and wondered what that white, sticky blob on it is? On the first inspection, that blob may look like a small piece of bread but as you look closer you may realise that it is something else.
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