tHE bIOFILM: FOrMatION aND rEMOVaL

Dental caries and periodontal disease are among the most prevalent diseases known to man. Both are associated with the bacteria of the dental biofilm. The dental biofilm is complex, with a well-organized structure. Up to 500 bacterial species have been identified in the dental biofilm. Studies have shown that plaque accumulates rapidly on clinically plaque-free teeth. To maintain the oral and the systemic health, the development and maturation of dental biofilm should be impeded and the dental biofilm needs to be regularly and meticulously removed. The removal and reduction of the biofilm can be achieved by mechanical means or mechanical and chemical means. Current chemotherapeutics in general do not effectively penetrate thick biofilms, which underscores the importance of the identification and rigorous mechanical removal of the dental biofilm.