In the beginning of life, human fetus inside the uterus is sterile. However, the moment fetus passes through the birth canal, microorganisms are acquired. Colonies of bacteria can already be detected in infants’ mouth within hours after birth1. In this article, we will discuss how these bacteria play an important role in our mouth as well as oral diseases.
Plaque starts off with a layer on our teeth called biofilm. From there, microorganisms colonize and growth begins. Even with a clean tooth surface, it takes less than 4 hours for plaque formation to initiate its process2. As plaque collects, more harmful bacteria adhere to this complex structure. This is where gum inflammation becomes visible and, if still left unclean, progresses to periodontal disease. It is also just as important to note that within the complex of plaque, bacteria called Streptococcus mutans is primarily responsible for causing cavities3.
Over time, plaque can be mineralized and form what is called calculus. They can develop above and/or underneath the gum. The important issue with calculus build-up is that it makes it difficult to maintain our oral hygiene and keeps more bacteria near our gum, which, in turn, continues and accentuates periodontal disease as well as chances of having cavities. This is why dental hygiene upkeep is important. We need to constantly eliminate and prevent the growth of bacteria in order to maintain a healthy mouth. If we can properly maintain our oral hygiene and home care, we are more than halfway from having a healthy mouth and keeping our teeth.
This article is just the beginning for us to better understand that it doesn't matter if it is our teeth or our gum and bone around our teeth, bacteria are one of the biggest factors for these related oral diseases. Though in reality, there are many other factors that can also cause oral diseases. As we explore further, this series of articles will allow us to understand what are some other causes and how these problem can affect our body systemically. Stay tuned for more educational reads!
Trivial notes:
- The idea chewing fibrous food to remove plaque is not as effective as you’d think when there is heavy plaque formation.
- Bacterial growth rate on our teeth actually reduces by 50% during the night4.
- As expected, increased surface roughness increases plaque formation.
- Age has no effect on plaque formation. However, the severity of consequent gum inflammation is more significant in older group5, 6.
References
- Socransky SS, Manganiello SD: The oral microbiota of man from birth to senility, J Periodontol 42:485, 1971.
- Liljemark WF, Bloomquist C: Human oral microbial ecology and dental caries and periodontal diseases, Crit Rev Oral Biol Med 7:180, 1996.
- Shklair I, Keene H, Cullen P. The distribution of Streptococcus mutans on the teeth of two groups of naval recruits. Arch Oral Biol 1974;19:199–202.
- Quirynen M, van Steenberghe D: Is early plaque growth rate constant with time? J Clin Periodontol 16:278, 1989.
- Holm-Pedersen P, Agerbaek N, Theilade E: Experimental gingivitis in young and elderly individuals, J Clin Periodontol 2:14, 1975.
- Winkel EG, Abbas F, van der Velden U, et al: Experimental gingivitis in relation to age in individuals not susceptible to periodontal destruction, J Clin Periodontol 14:499, 1987.