What’s biofilm and how it affects my teeth? – Cancun Cosmetic Dentistry
Perhaps you are not familiar with this word, but you are in contact with it every day. WHO defines “biofilm” as a proliferative and enzymatically active bacterial ecosystem. That is, it is a set of organisms that can adhere to several natural or artificial surfaces and then create colonies. Although in many cases the concentration of bacteria is beneficial to the environment, others can be quite damaging, suchs is the case of this type of biofilm.
What is dental biofilm?
Oral bacteria can be found in two ways: in saliva, suspended in the liquid or on a hard surface, forming an adherent film, which is known as dental biofilm. Also called plaque, is a set of microorganisms that binds to the walls of the teeth. If the plaque is not removed through oral hygiene, that is, if the microorganisms get the necessary substrates to survive and remain long on the tooth surface, can produce different types of diseases in your mouth.
What damage can it cause?
When the plaque adheres to the surface of the teeth, it can affect the surface structures of the teeth and thus leave “the door open” for the entry of bacteria and other microorganisms for cavitities. The dental biofilm is one of the main responsible for some of the most common oral diseases such as tooth decay – which affects 60 to 90% of the world population – gum disease, gingivitis, among others.
What to do to prevent it?
In addition to good oral hygiene habits at home, it is essential to make frequent visits to the dentist to perform a professional cleaning. This is because, once the plate is attached, tooth brushing alone is not enough to remove it. Biofilm is quite rigid and difficult to be removed, so special equipment is needed to remove it. You will need to visit your doctor once or twice a year to get rid of it.
If you want to know more about what our dentists in Cancun Cosmetic Dentistry can do for you call toll free from USA and Canada 1-800-565-1424, or if you are already on vacation in Cancun and want to meet us, you can call us for an appointment at the following local number (998) 1-40-51-25.