The most common dental and gum infections are caused by an accumulation of biofilm in your mouth. These biofilms are found in the form of plaque that can cause damage to your gums, teeth, and the supporting tissues of the mouth.
Let us understand more about them.
What are Biofilms?
Biofilms are clumps of bacteria that breed and proliferate in a slimy enclosed structure. This bacteria is responsible for periodontal disease and is very resistant to antibiotics, antimicrobial agents, and even our body's immune system. Hence, they can be very hard to destroy.
Stages of Biofilm Development
According to the University of Illinois, the development of biofilm can be divided into four stages:
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Stage 1: The free-swimming bacteria attach themselves to the surface of your mouth. This process is easily reversible if you take good care of your oral hygiene and use antibacterial products to kill the microorganisms.
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Stage 2: In this stage, the bacteria begin accumulating on the surface of your teeth as part of a permanent chemical attachment process. These bacteria can also be removed with a good professional dental cleaning and flossing to break the bonds created by the biofilm.
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Stage 3: This stage involves the formation of vertical “towers.” The biofilm cannot be so easily removed by conservative procedures like brushing and flossing.
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Stage 4: The biofilm forms mature structures and disperses more free-swimming bacteria in the mouth. Pieces of the biofilm may break off from the colony and establish themselves in other areas of the mouth.
In the mouth, bacteria form plaque this way. This substance then hardens to tartar, also known as calculus, and leads to the inflammation of gums. Mature biofilm is very damaging to your gums and teeth and can cause other medical issues as well.
When it comes to your oral health, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Make sure you keep your six-monthly dental visits to avoid gum disease and other oral issues. Call us today at (503) 601-0610 to schedule an appointment with us.
The most common dental and gum infections are caused by an accumulation of biofilm in your mouth. These biofilms are found in the form of plaque that can cause damage to your gums, teeth, and the supporting tissues of the mouth.