Dental plaque (Oral biofilm)

Dental plaque is a complex, multispecies biofilm that forms on the surfaces of teeth, consisting of a diverse community of microorganisms embedded in a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) (NIH, 2023). This biofilm serves as a protective niche for bacteria, facilitating horizontal gene transfer and resistance to host immune responses and antimicrobial agents (StatPearls, 2023). Pathologically, the metabolic activity of acidogenic bacteria within the plaque, such as Streptococcus mutans, leads to the demineralization of tooth enamel and the development of dental caries (PubMed, 2021). Furthermore, the accumulation of plaque at the gingival margin can trigger inflammatory responses, leading to gingivitis and potentially progressing to periodontitis (Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 2020). Therapeutic interventions aim to control plaque through mechanical disruption and the use of chemical agents that inhibit bacterial growth, disrupt the biofilm matrix, or modify the oral environment to favor commensal species (Cochrane, 2021).

Other names

Oral biofilmDental biofilmTooth surface biofilmMicrobial plaqueSupragingival plaqueSubgingival plaque

Inhibition of bacterial metabolism (glycolysis), disruption of microbial cell membranes, prevention of bacterial attachment to the dental pellicle, and enhancement of tooth remineralization.