Dental plaque formation

Dental plaque formation is a complex, multi-stage biological process resulting in the development of a resilient microbial biofilm on tooth surfaces [4, 8]. The sequence begins with the adsorption of a salivary pellicle—a thin film of host-derived proteins and glycoproteins—onto the enamel, followed by the reversible and then irreversible attachment of primary bacterial colonizers like Streptococcus and Actinomyces species [9, 12, 17]. These microorganisms utilize dietary sugars, particularly sucrose, to synthesize an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix that provides structural stability and shields the community from antimicrobial agents and host defenses [5, 14, 15]. As the biofilm matures, it undergoes co-aggregation, recruiting secondary colonizers and transitioning into a more diverse microbial community capable of producing acidic byproducts that lead to enamel demineralization [12, 17]. Clinically, the uncontrolled progression of this process is the primary etiological factor for dental caries, gingivitis, and periodontitis [1, 15, 17]. Therapeutic interventions focus on mechanical removal or the use of chemical agents that inhibit bacterial adhesion, disrupt the biofilm matrix, or interfere with cariogenic metabolism [1, 7, 11].

Other names

Dental biofilm formationMicrobial plaque developmentOral biofilm developmentDental plaque accumulation

Interruption of bacterial adhesion to the salivary pellicle, inhibition of extracellular polysaccharide synthesis (e.g., by targeting bacterial glucosyltransferases), and disruption of bacterial cell membrane integrity.