Salivary pellicle

The salivary pellicle (also known as the dental pellicle or acquired enamel pellicle) is a thin, proteinaceous biofilm that rapidly coats all surfaces in the oral cavity, including teeth and mucosa, within seconds to minutes after cleaning. It is formed primarily by the selective adsorption of salivary glycoproteins (such as mucins and proline-rich proteins), enzymes, peptides, and other macromolecules. The pellicle serves as a protective diffusion barrier—modulating demineralization and remineralization, providing a substrate for microbial colonization, and incorporating antimicrobial factors that help regulate the oral microbiome. Its composition varies between individuals and can be affected by external agents such as dietary proteins and oral hygiene products. While it plays an essential role in oral health, abnormalities in its structure or composition can influence susceptibility to dental caries, erosion, and other oral pathologies[3][4][1][5][7].

Other names

Dental pellicleacquired enamel pellicleacquired salivary pellicle

Not applicable (no direct-acting drugs; the pellicle may be influenced indirectly by agents that alter protein adsorption, composition, or structure)