Dental plaque biofilm

Dental plaque biofilm is a structurally-organized, surface-attached microbial community that forms on the teeth and other hard oral surfaces. It consists mainly of bacteria (including Streptococcus mutans, fusobacterium, actinobacteria, anaerobes, and spirochetes), embedded in a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances such as exopolysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids, and host-derived components[3][4][5][7][9]. Dental plaque arises through a highly regulated process involving initial pellicle formation, primary bacterial colonization, co-aggregation, and maturation into a complex, heterogeneous mass with fluid-filled channels for nutrient and waste transport[3][4][7]. Dental plaque biofilm protects microorganisms from desiccation, immune responses, and antimicrobials, resulting in increased drug-resistance and facilitating chronic infection and inflammation, most notably dental caries and periodontal diseases[1][2][5][6][8][9]. It is not a single molecule, receptor, or protein, but rather a complex, multi-species microbial ecosystem whose detailed composition, structure, and function may provide targets for novel therapies and diagnostics. Attempts to target dental plaque include antimicrobial agents (mouth rinses, antibiotics), mechanical removal, and emerging strategies such as localized antimicrobial delivery, host immune modulation, and probiotics, but challenges remain due to the resilient biofilm nature and risk of disrupting the healthy oral microbiome[6][8][9].

Other names

Dental plaqueplaque biofilmoral biofilm

Disruption of biofilm matrix - Inhibition of bacterial metabolism or proliferation - Antagonism of pathogenic species (via pH modulation, redox, or antimicrobial activity) - Host immune modulation