Microbiology of Dental Plaque

Reference

Haake, Susan  K. ( n.d. ) . Microbiology of Dental Plaque . Periodontics  Information Center .Retrieved March 24, 2011, from http://www.dent.ucla.edu/pic/members/microbio/mdphome.html.

Summary

            This article discusses the role of microorganisms in the formation of dental plaque. The author defined a plaque as “ a microbial community”; he mentioned that there are approximately 400 species (types) of bacteria which can be found in a dental plaque in addition to few epithelial cells, leukocytes, and inorganic compounds. The new classification of a dental plaque depends on the variation in a microbial content of a plaque of healthy and unhealthy tooth. Many research studies were done in order to give information on the compositional and microbial features of a dental plaque. The results showed the way of interacting between bacterial cells and the layer that covers the tooth which is called pellicle, so many types of gram positive bacteria can colonize this layer. After attaching, a bacterial cell starts to divide and increase in number to form a colony. The colonization occurs in sequential stages, and each of them has particular groups of microorganisms. In addition, the metabolic products of one type of bacteria help another type to come and live in a dental plaque. Furthermore, the article referred to the  increase in a motile and anaerobic gram positive microbes in unhealthy gingiva between  25-75  times more than in healthy ones .Finally, the article stated that the distinctive microbes which are involved in formation of a dental plaque contain 7 facultative species and 7 anaerobic  species.

Reaction

            My major is Microbiology, so I was very amused in reading this article, which gave me extra information of a role of microorganisms in configuring a dental plaque. I knew by this article the various species of microbes which are involve in developing a dental plaque. I understood the steps of invasion and colonization, and I saw the results of the modern research which focused on dental plaque. This article helps me to know the importance of some substances that  are produced by bacteria to encourage the growth of others. In addition, it gave me new information about the name, shape, and classification of microbes that play an important role in dental plaque formation, and it helps me to have a real view about the microbial community in healthy and unhealthy gingiva. Consequently, there are differences between developed and non-advanced communities in the formation of a real perception of the seriousness of a dental plaque.  I dream to see the day when healthy teeth are the ambition of everybody, and when people in each community see that it is important to pay attention for their teeth health. By knowing the truth about the risk which is caused by microorganisms in the mouth, getting information about them , and trying to protect the teeth from microbes attacking by regular cleaning of them with the help of the dentist .