Acquired salivary pellicle and dental plaque matrix (ASP/DPM)

The acquired salivary pellicle (ASP) is a thin, acellular film composed of salivary proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates that forms on tooth surfaces within seconds of exposure to the oral environment (Siqueira et al., 2012, PubMed). It serves as a protective barrier against acid erosion and provides a site for the selective adhesion of oral bacteria (Hannig & Hannig, 2009, NIH). As bacteria colonize, they produce an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) that forms the dental plaque matrix, a complex three-dimensional scaffold that protects the biofilm from antimicrobial agents and host immune responses (Bowden & Hamilton, 1998, PubMed). This matrix is a critical therapeutic target for preventing dental caries and periodontal diseases, as its disruption can destabilize the biofilm and facilitate the removal of pathogenic microorganisms (Koo et al., 2013, NIH). Drugs targeting this matrix, such as chlorhexidine or delmopinol, work by inhibiting the synthesis of glucans, enzymatically degrading the EPS, or altering the surface properties of the pellicle to prevent initial bacterial attachment (Marsh, 2010, PubMed). Understanding the composition and dynamics of the pellicle and plaque matrix is essential for developing effective oral hygiene products and targeted anti-biofilm therapies.

Other names

Dental pellicleSalivary pellicleDental biofilm matrixExtracellular polymeric substancesEPS matrix

Disruption of biofilm structural integrity, inhibition of bacterial adhesion to the pellicle, and enzymatic degradation of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS).